793.94/9336: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 13—10:59 a.m.]
419. It is believed here that sniping between Chinese and Japanese forces began this morning at Shanghai at 9:15.
At a meeting of colleagues named in my 403, August 11, noon [midnight], the British Ambassador stated that Hidaka had come to him this morning and made to him substantially the same communication as reported in my 415, August 13, 8 a.m. British Ambassador stated that he had emphasized to Hidaka that it was not possible for us to ask Chinese to remove Paoantui or other forces unless Japanese were willing to remove forces recently sent to augment Japanese landing party at Shanghai. British Ambassador also emphasized that this would have to be a matter of independent agreement between Japanese and Chinese. We discussed matter for some time. We agreed that we should not act as mediators between Chinese and Japanese; [regarding?] reduction of or withdrawal of forces at Shanghai; that we could not act as guarantors for either side; but we were agreeable that if Chinese and Japanese should be able to agree as between themselves to withdraw forces now facing each other at Shanghai we would be prepared to allow representatives to serve on a board of observers to watch simultaneous withdrawal of Chinese and Japanese armed forces in the Shanghai area. We are agreeable that it is little likelihood that either side will now be willing to agree to such a withdrawal.
We have been requested to visit the Generalissimo at 5 p.m. this afternoon to receive some kind of a communication.