793.94/4344: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Shanghai, February 21, 1932—11
a.m.
[Received February 21—5:50 a.m.]
[Received February 21—5:50 a.m.]
Your 37, February 19, 5 p.m.84
- 1.
- I am at a loss to explain French information at Geneva.85 French Minister, British Minister and I meet daily and exchange information and views. I have stated quite frankly to both that I did not care to be party to imposition of Japanese terms upon Chinese however willing local Chinese might be to accept such terms under foreign advice. My British colleague agrees with me in this attitude.
- 2.
- My British colleague went farther than I was willing to go in arranging a meeting between Chinese and Japanese military representatives at which in spite of specific promise to contrary, made to Lampson by Shigemitsu, Japanese military presented what really [Page 412] amounted to an ultimatum. French Minister has taken little or no part in these matters except that when we are [sic] called on Shigemitsu on 19th he did make a final appeal to Japanese to know whether there might be still some hope. We all joined but got no reply.
- 3.
- British Minister and I are remaining in hope that there may occur an opportunity to do something and we proposed to leave together.
- 4.
- Your 41, February 20, 2 p.m.86 Department’s instructions will be complied with.
Johnson