gmd’s diplomatic efforts after September 18th

On October 13, 1931, the Executive Yuan of the League of Nations convened a conference one day in advance in response to the request of the Nationalist Government Shi Zhaoji to the League of Nations for another meeting. At the meeting, Shi Zhaoji proposed that the League of Nations cooperate with the United States by citing the Non-War Pact and ask Japan to withdraw its troops. Japan then

Accused China of rejecting Japanese goods and demanded direct negotiations with China to first conclude an outline agreement and then withdraw troops. After receiving the note from Japan, most of the Foreign Affairs Committee opposed direct negotiations. However, at this time, Japan claimed to discuss the outline issue with China in the League of Nations.

If we refuse categorically, we will easily lose international sympathy and give Japan an excuse to refuse to withdraw its troops.

On October 15, League of Nations Chairman Brian summoned Shi Zhaoji for a talk and asked China if it would wait until the Japanese troops retreated to begin negotiations with the Japanese side. Shi Zhaoji replied that negotiations could not begin until all troops had withdrawn and the issue of responsibility had not been discussed. If the negotiations were to begin after the withdrawal,

, conditional on the participation of the Council. Brian said that the withdrawal of troops is not conditional on the success of negotiations, and China is free to accept or reject Japan's proposal in the future. Shi Zhaoji telegraphed this situation to the Foreign Affairs Committee. After discussion, the majority

Still advocated withdrawing troops first as the minimum condition. Telegraphed Shi Zhaoji to insist.

On the same day, Japan secretly proposed a five-point negotiation outline to Briand, namely: (1) Each other will refrain from aggression. (2) Each other will refrain from domestic hostilities. (3) Japan respects the integrity of China's territory. (4) China will indeed protect it.

Japanese overseas Chinese living or running businesses in various parts of Manchuria. (5) Voted against the proposal to avoid competition on the Sino-Japanese railway in Manchuria and the various rights-of-way issues based on the treaty (There seems to be an inconsistency here, so quote the original text.)

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On October 16, Brian proposed inviting the parties to the Non-War Convention to convene a League of Nations meeting, and the United States, which did not participate in the League of Nations, was present. The proposal was passed by a vote of 13 to 1. On October 17, after repeated discussions, the Foreign Affairs Committee made a decision

Resolution on Japan's Outline: "In addition to taking into account our own rights and interests, the means we adopt must (1) not lose international sympathy. (2) do not lead the Japanese warlords to extremes. Tentatively decide on six principles: (1) Japan must

Withdrawal of troops under the supervision of the League of Nations; (2) future negotiations between China and Japan must be conducted under the care of the League of Nations: (3) the location must be in Geneva or other places deemed appropriate by the League of Nations; (4) future negotiations must be conducted under the principles stipulated in the League of Nations Convention

, must not violate the following three key points: (1) respect China's independence, complete sovereignty, territorial integrity, and administrative integrity: (2) implement open door and equal opportunities; (3) promote peace in the Far East and must not use force as a means to implement national policies; (5) Japan

We shall bear the responsibility for sending troops; (6) We reserve the right to amend any proposal made by Japan and make additional proposals. On October 19, the Foreign Affairs Committee notified Shi Zhaoji to propose to the League of Nations: All Japanese troops should withdraw within 10 days.

The three matters of planning and implementation of the takeover are to be supervised by neutral country personnel. The takeover method is limited to those related to handover procedures. Shi Zhaoji was also informed of our five-point outline of the Japanese side and our opinions on Japan's proposed case. October

On the 22nd, the League of Nations Council met and proposed a draft resolution. It was roughly based on the resolution of September 30, citing Article 11 of the League of Nations Convention and Article 2 of the Non-War Convention, requesting Japan to withdraw its troops outside the railways, and at the next meeting of the Council

To be completed before the meeting, the Chinese government is requested to formulate and implement measures to protect the lives and property of overseas Chinese in Manchuria. The Executive Yuan of the League of Nations hopes that China and Japan will immediately discuss the reception methods. It also requests the Chinese government to invite neutral personnel to accompany the reception army to inspect and implement reception matters.

, as soon as the withdrawal of troops is completed, China and Japan will begin direct negotiations on all outstanding issues (issues that have occurred since September 18 and railway issues are included). Since China's demands are supported by the League of Nations in this draft, the Foreign Affairs Committee

Shi Zhaoji was telegraphed to accept the draft. On October 24, the League of Nations passed a resolution ordering Japanese troops to withdraw their troops to the railway area before November 16. China reiterated its intention to protect overseas Chinese and negotiated troop withdrawal and other matters between China and Japan. Thirteen countries agreed, but only Japan opposed it.

This seemed like a diplomatic victory for China, but according to Article 11 of the League of Nations, the vote must be unanimous, so it actually became a deadlock. On October 26, Japan issued the "Second Government Statement on the Manchuria Incident",

Refusing to withdraw troops, it was proposed that "in order to ensure the safety of imperial subjects in Manchuria, we must first take measures to eliminate the resentment and doubts of the people of the two countries and prepare the necessary basic outline for consultation with the Chinese government in this regard." However, Article 5 of the outline was changed to

"Respect the empire's rights and interests in Manchuria as stipulated in the treaty".

In this regard, Chiang Kai-shek was still clear-headed. On October 29, during the discussion at the Foreign Affairs Committee, Chiang Kai-shek said: "It is obvious that Japan will not accept this League of Nations resolution. The situation will actually be more serious in the future than before the resolution. Since the League of Nations resolution

As approved unanimously by all member states of the Executive Yuan except Japan, Japan's attitude is either to retreat or to advance. From the perspective of Japan's traditional policy towards China, it is unwilling to retreat and must take further steps. It is difficult to predict how the situation will change in the future. Honjo Declaration

The saying that the head can be cut off but the troops cannot be withdrawn is not pretense to be tragic, but the intention is true." But at the same time, Chiang Kai-shek still had illusions about the League of Nations, saying: "We are in this situation, and we have many concerns about dealing with it alone, and one party is in trouble.

After gaining unanimous sympathy from the international community, we should trust the League of Nations and always cooperate with it. However, for the League of Nations itself, if this matter cannot be resolved and there is no guarantee of world peace in the future, the League of Nations does not need to exist." The meeting decided to amend the Chinese government's external policy.

Declaration, adding the following meanings: 1. Respect the resolution of the Executive Yuan of the League of Nations on the 24th of this month; 2. Failure of the resolution will mean the bankruptcy of international credibility and the breakdown of international peace; 3. Citing various international conventions since the Washington Conference to respect national sovereignty and independence,

The promise of territorial integrity and ensuring peace and maintaining open doors and equal opportunities; 4. The fact that the Japanese were causing disturbances in Eastern Province; 5. Regarding the treaty issue, Representative Shi has proposed an arbitration method; 6. Quoting the Prime Minister’s legacy on Sino-Japanese relations to express our country’s inherent

Policy. In fact, there is room for change in the last two items. On November 2, Chiang Kai-shek summoned members of the Foreign Affairs Committee Dai Jitao, Li Shizeng, Yu Youren, and Wu Zhihui to discuss the government's policy towards Japan: Before the Japanese troops have withdrawn, there will be no contact with the Japanese.

We will not make any contact with the other side, nor will we discuss how to proceed with the upcoming withdrawal of troops, nor will we discuss the formalities in advance, and will use indirect methods to urge the withdrawal of troops.

In the 20th year of the Republic of China, that is, on November 4, 1931, the Japanese army dispatched a large number of troops to attack the Nenjiang Bridge. The Chinese defenders led by General Ma Zhanshan fought back and repelled many Japanese attacks! The Japanese army suffered heavy casualties!

On November 9, the Foreign Affairs Committee sent a telegram to Zhang Xueliang to order Ma Zhanshan, Chairman of Heilongjiang Province, to stand firm and try his best to defend himself. Chiang Kai-shek also sent telegrams to Ma Zhanshan on November 12 and 19 respectively, believing that Ma Zhanshan's self-defense behavior was "very legitimate."

"Bringing glory to the country, spreading prestige, and being admired by China and foreign countries", he also urged Zhang Xueliang to send troops to assist. Due to Japan's continuous increase in troops, Ma Zhanshan's troops finally ran out of ammunition and reinforcements and were forced to withdraw from Heilongjiang on the 19th. The situation in Northeast China worsened day by day.

At this time, China's diplomacy in the League of Nations also encountered changes. On November 16, the Executive Yuan of the League of Nations met for the third time. However, the meeting was adjourned after only 20 minutes, without any discussion of Japanese aggression. Then, the meeting entered a non-stop meeting.

Formal negotiations. On the 18th, British Foreign Minister Simon had a conversation with Shi Zhaoji and put forward four points: (1) solemnly declare to Japan that China respects Manchuria’s treaty obligations. (2) note to the great powers and the United States, restating the first point. (3) Middle

During the day, it was agreed to appoint a special railway committee, with the chairman appointed by the League of Nations and an equal number of Chinese and Japanese members. Its purpose was to achieve an agreement on railway operation in Manchuria, prevent unhealthy competition, and strive to achieve an operation agreement on the same system.

(4) After ensuring the first and second points and signing the third point, the withdrawal of troops will be carried out. This proposal is obviously biased in favor of Japan.

On November 19, the Foreign Affairs Committee met to study the Simon Four Points. Chiang Kai-shek also attended the meeting. After discussion, the six-point resolution was unanimously adopted: "(1) China and Japan mutually declared to the Executive Yuan and the United States that they respect the principles of international treaties. (2) ) Any questions or disputes regarding the treaty should be submitted to the Executive Yuan or the Sino-Japanese Reconciliation Committee. (3) Regarding the third point raised by Ximen, regarding the proposal of the Executive Yuan to send representatives and the League of Nations to assist, I advocate acceptance, but in the end The paragraph is revised to 'for common interests'. (4) Regarding the issue of troop withdrawal, the completion date and various steps within a certain period should be stipulated. (5) Neutral representatives assist various places in accepting the withdrawal of troops. (6) All discussions between China and Japan, It is best to be in a neutral location." Anyone with a discerning eye can already see the dissatisfaction with the British proposition in the above six points. On the same day, Chiang Kai-shek stated at the Fourth National Congress of the Kuomintang: "I am personally determined to go north, do my best to serve the party and the country." The conference also A corresponding resolution was made: "Please ask Comrade Chiang Kai-shek, Chairman of the National Government, to quickly go north to protect Yangtze and recover the lost territory."

On November 20, Shanghai's "Current Affairs News" published two poems by Ma Junwu "Sorrow for Shenyang": "Zhao Si is romantic and Zhu Wu is crazy, and butterflies are walking gracefully. Wenwen Township is the grave of heroes, who cares about the Eastern Division entering Shenyang." "The urgent military letter came in the middle of the night, and the opening strings and strings urged each other. Shenyang had fallen into retirement and looked back, and even danced with the beauty a few times." As soon as these two poems were published, Zhang Xueliang's reputation as a "non-resistance general" was completely confirmed. .

On November 21, the Anti-Japanese Federation of Shanghai University decided to organize another delegation to Nanjing to urge the government to send troops. The target of the petition was: "Please make a resolution on the spot at the General Assembly. If Chairman Chiang does not comply with the instructions within the time limit set by the Fourth Plenary Session, he will personally take the lead." If the troops set out to regain the lost territory, they must be expelled from the party." "Chairman Chiang is asked to write an oath of resignation in public, stipulating: (1) the latest departure date; (2) a statement that he will not recover the lost territory and will not return to Nanjing; (3) Please ask the government to order Zhang Xueliang to send troops to recover the lost territory immediately. If there is no indication of sending troops within three days, he will be dismissed from his post and severely punished. If the above three items cannot be answered satisfactorily, everyone will gather at the Fourth Plenary Session or in front of the national government. No matter day or night, no matter how windy or rainy it is, they will never leave."

On November 26, more than 8,000 students in Shanghai came to the National Government and demanded that Chiang Kai-shek fulfill his promise to go north to fight against the Japanese. They set up a bronze bell across the road from the National Government gate and rang it day and night, indicating that the alarm bell would sound if it was not reached. The determination to never give up on the goal. It was not until the afternoon of the 27th that Chiang Kai-shek sent Zhang Zhi, the director of education of the Central Military Academy, to give a speech, but it failed to satisfy the students. Chiang Kai-shek himself was forced to speak out.

Chiang first accused the students of "making tools for the minority" and said: "The conditions for the petition are unreasonable and beyond the norm." The student representative said confidently on the spot: "This petition is purely for saving the country and is by no means a minority. "Control", and read the conditions of the submission in public, asking Chiang Kai-shek to express his position. Chiang Kai-shek turned and said: "I am very happy, I must accept the students' request, stand in front of the people and sacrifice their struggle", and ordered the students to return to school to study peacefully. The student representatives immediately He asked Chiang Kai-shek: "A large area of ​​land in the three eastern provinces has fallen into the hands of the enemy, and tens of millions of compatriots have become slaves of the subjugated country. How can students feel at ease?!" Chiang Kai-shek then said: "If you make a decision within three days, if you don't send troops to regain the lost territory, kill me, Jiang. To thank the people of the country." So at the strong request of the Shanghai students, Chiang Kai-shek wrote a handwriting: "This chairman is loyal to the party and the country and has long been determined. I can accept petitions from students." At this point, the students thought that they had achieved their goal, ended the petition, and responded. To Shanghai.

On November 29, Gu Weijun and Song Ziwen telegraphed Zhang Xueliang again, "If the Japanese are unreasonable and lead their troops to attack, I still ask my brother to make a decisive decision and defend with strength." The Foreign Affairs Committee also believed that "Tianjin has political and military relations

Most importantly, if Japan and Japan push each other too far, in order to maintain national dignity, we should carry out legitimate defense as a last resort."

On November 30, three days after expressing his position, Chiang Kai-shek did not use any troops. He said in a public speech: "Our people must endure the pain and anger at this moment, and temporarily adopt a resigned attitude to wait for the judgment of international justice."
Chapter completed!