The Trautmann Mediation was an attempt by German Ambassador to China Oskar Trautmann to broker a peace between Japanese Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe and Chiang Kai-shek of the Chinese Kuomintang Government shortly after the 2nd Sino-Japanese War began. The mediation began on Nov,1937 and ended on Jan 16, 1938 by Konoe's rejection announcement.
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Background
Since 1920s, Germany had close relationship with Kuomintang government. After Nazi party took power,Nazi Germany maintained good relationship with Kuomintang government. However, Nazi Germany signed Anti-Comintern Pact with Japan on Nov,1936. Germany's expectation for Japan was eastern counter weight against the Soviet Union. For Germany, any armed conflict between China and Japan was very unwelcome. After August 1937, the battle of Shanghai had escalated into the full-scale war. China appealed to the international community to take necessary measures against Japanese aggression. Japan did not want endless war with China therefore made the peace proposal and asked Germany mediation of the peace talk on Oct 1937.
1st Proposal
Followings are summary of Japanese 1st peace proposal. Germany apporved this proposal. Oscar Trautmann handed this porposal to Kuomintang government on Nov 5,1937.
- Inner Mongolia autonomy
- A de-militarized zone between Manchukuo and northern China under Nanking government administration.
- A de-militarized zone in Shanghai with international police
- Stop all anti-Japan policies
- Japan and China coopereate in fighting against communism
- Lowering tarif for Japanese goods
- Respect foreign nation's properties and rights in China
Japan warned this proposal would be valid for only limited time because fierce battle still continued. However, Chiang Kai-shek expected diplomatic or physical assistance from the outside. Therefore, he deferred his government's reply to Tokyo. The Nine Power Treaty Conference at Brussel began on Nov 3,1997.
The conference issued the declaration on Nov 15 and concluded on Nov 24 but no effective measures. The league of Nations was also not able to take any effective measures.
Japan was gaining military upper hand in November.Fall of Shanghai on Nov 12. At the end of November, military situation for China became hopeless. Fall of Nanking, the capitol was imminent. Therefore, Chiang Kai-shek decided to accept Japanese proposal as the basis of the peace negotiation. This was told to Trautmann on Dec 2,1937.
But the hardliners were gaining the momentum in Tokyo after bloody battle of Shanghai. They thought the original proposal is too lenient and no longer valid basis for the peace talk. Japan officially refused peace negotiation that is based on 1st proposal and promised to offer another peace proposal within a few weeks.
2nd Proposal
After lengthy internal discussion,Konoe administration made 2nd proposal as follows.
- Diplomatic recognition for Manchukuo
- Inner Mongolia autonomy
- Stop all anti-Japan and anti-Manchukuo policies
- Japan, Manchukuo and China coopereate in fighting against communism
- War reparations
- De-militarized zones in northern China and inner Mongolia
- Trade agreement between Japan, Manchukuo and China
Japanese diplomat told this to German ambassador in Japan on Dec 22, 1937. Japan also set Jan 5,1938 as deadline of Chinese reply.
However, this new proposal was far beyond acceptable range for Chiang Kai-shek. He refused the idea but did not make official reply.
Break off
Jan 11,1938, six days after deadline for Chinese government reply, Imperial Conference(Gozen Kaigi) was held at Tokyo. Japanese cabinets and military leaders discussed about how to handle Trautmann mediation. The navy did not have strong opinion because basically current war was army's business. The army requested to end the war with more lenient conditions by diplomatic way. Because they were facing much stronger far-eastern Soviet army at northern Manchukuo border and wanted to avoid endless attrition warfare. However, Hirota Koki,the minister of foreign affair, strongly disagreed with the army. According to him, there is no hope for Trautmann mediation because huge opinion gap between China and Japan.
Jan 15,1938, Japanese primary cabinet members and military leaders had a conference. This time, the emperor did not attend. There was a heated argument about continuation of Trautmann mediation. Hayao Tada,Deputy Chief of Army General Staff insisted on continuation. Konoe, Hirota, Navy minister Mitsumasa Yonai and War minister Hajime Sugiyama disagreed with him. Finally Tada reluctantly agreed with Konoe and Hirota. Sameday, Konoe reported the cabinet's conclusion, termination of Trautmann mediation to the emperor.
Jan 16,1938, Konoe announced the statement. It said 'Japanese government will not negotiate with Chiang Kai-shek government anymore.'(Translation from Japanese).