793.94/10016: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 11—6:50 a.m.]
362. Department’s 190 [191], September 4, 4 p.m. and Embassy’s 351, September 6, 7 p.m., withdrawal of military forces from certain areas in Shanghai.
I have today received a note in reply from the Foreign Minister which the Embassy translates as follows:
“No. 112, September 10, 1937. Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s note No. 708 of September 6.
The Japanese Government is of the opinion that arrangements of the kind proposed require first of all practical study by officers on the spot. With regard to the present proposal a reply has been received from the officer in command of Japanese Naval Forces at Shanghai stating that he has already informed the senior officers of the American, French, and British Naval Forces at Shanghai to the effect that even though Japan and China should mutually withdraw their respective warships and troops from the areas specified, it is very likely that Chinese forces would launch attacks from points outside those areas, and in that event Japanese warships would inevitably be obliged to respond, thus endangering quarters where nationals of third countries are residing in the Concessions, although Japan desires to avoid that danger. It is therefore deemed imperative that all Chinese troops, including plainclothes corps, be withdrawn from the areas of Pootung and Nanshih (translator’s note: character for south followed by character for city) which are within a 6 kilometre curve with Pootung Point as center, in which the right bank of the Whangpoo includes an area from the vicinity of the Haifeng (translator’s note: character for calm followed by character for plenty) shipyard to the southern boundary of the French Concession. If such withdrawal be carried out, the Commander is ready to give consideration to cessation of bombardment of Pootung and Nanshih by Japanese war vesssels from above section 7 of the river.
I avail myself, et cetera, Koki Hirota.”
Repeated to Shanghai for information of Commander-in-Chief and relay to Nanking.