793.94/8847: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 19—5:35 p.m.]
301. Our 297, July 18, noon [midnight], and 295, July 18, 11 a.m.
1. We have just obtained from the Foreign Office the translation of its aide-mémoire handed this afternoon to the Japanese Embassy in [Page 211] reply to the latter’s aide-mémoire of July 17.39a This translation is being released by the Foreign Office to the press and is as follows:
2.
“Since the outbreak of the Lukouchiao incident China, having not the least desire to aggravate the situation or provoke a conflict with Japan, has repeatedly declared her readiness to seek a settlement by pacific means. The Japanese Government, while professing anxiety not to see the situation aggravated, has at the same time despatched large numbers of troops to the province of Hopei. The movements of Japanese troops, which have not yet ceased, indicate a clear intention on the part of Japan to resort to force.
In the circumstances the Chinese Government has been compelled to take adequate precautionary measures for self-defense, but the Chinese Government has not relaxed its consistent efforts for peace. On July 12, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in discussing the situation with Mr. S. Hidaka, Counselor of the Japanese Embassy, proposed mutual cessation of military movements and withdrawal of troops on both sides to their original positions. It is to be regretted that no reply to this proposal has yet been received from Japan.
The Chinese Government now wishes to reiterate its desire for a peaceful settlement of the incident as well as its intention not to aggravate the situation. It is therefore proposed that the two parties jointly fix a definite date on which both sides shall simultaneously cease all military movements and withdraw their armed forces to the position occupied prior to the incident. In view of the peaceful aspirations voiced by the Japanese Government, the Chinese Government trusts that the proposal will be acceptable to Japan.
As regards the procedure to be followed for a settlement of the Lukouchiao incident, the Chinese Government is prepared immediately to enter into negotiations with the Japanese Government through regular diplomatic channels. The settlement of questions of a local nature susceptible of adjustment on the spot shall be subject to the sanction of the Chinese National Government.
In short, the Chinese Government is ready to exhaust all pacific means for the maintenance of peace in Eastern Asia. Therefore, all methods provided by international law and international treaties for the pacific settlement of international disputes—such as direct negotiations, good offices, mediators, arbitration, et cetera—are equally acceptable to the Chinese Government.”
Sent to the Department and Peiping. By mail to Tokyo.