793.94/3152: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 10—2:40 p.m.]
871. From Ambassador Dawes: After our telephone conversation I notified Briand that I would not make the statement which I telephoned to you and which, for your information, is as follows:
“The patient labor of the Council has now resulted in an agreement of China and Japan to refrain from future aggression and for the appointment of a commission. This agreement, if faithfully observed by both parties, may well lead to a final and peaceful solution of this difficult problem.
For the moment, through a misunderstanding alone the discussion of a most promising effort of bringing a cessation of hostilities between China and Japan is in abeyance. The misunderstanding arose as follows: Dr. Wellington Koo discussed tentatively with certain Foreign Ministers at Nanking the cessation of hostilities between the armies and the mutual withdrawal of forces around Chinchow. This suggestion was not intended as a proposal to the Japanese Government but was made merely for the purpose of sounding out on the subject the powers represented by the Ministers. This tentative suggestion of Dr. Koo’s, which he did not intend should be made to the Japanese Government, was conveyed to it in such a way that Japan regarded it as a definite proposition. The Japanese Government then made a definite proposition embodying the idea, agreeing to be responsible to the League for its observance of the arrangements if made and this was a chief factor in causing orders to be given for a retreat of its troops which were already advancing. As matters stand at present therefore the Japanese public have the impression that Japan has been misled into troop withdrawal, and China, having made its suggestion only for discussions, is in a position where if she orders her troops to withdraw, the public impression in China is created that China has been coerced. The situation is this: China in good faith made a constructive suggestion for discussion which having been presented to Japan as a proposition instead of a suggestion, Japan then in good faith ordered a troop withdrawal.
[Page 669]An understanding of this situation by the public of both nations should make possible the further exploration of the original idea of Dr. Wellington Koo and the consequent proposition of Japan for a mutually satisfactory arrangement for a cessation of hostilities around Chinchow and a redisposition of the respective forces to avoid the risk of conflict. The continuance of such a discussion involves no humiliating concessions by either of the nations and will only emphasize the earnest desire of both for honorable peace.”
- [Dawes]
- Shaw