Chapter 8 December 37 Diary 1

At 9:30, I drove with Kroeger and Sperling to Pingcang Lane, where the committee was meeting.We made a division of labor and made a list of people.Mayor Ma brought his team to the meeting and promised to give us 30,000 bags of rice and 10,000 bags of flour.It's a pity we don't have trucks to bring these grains into the refugee area yet.Rice and flour we can sell (in order to prevent "profiteering", we must set the maximum price) and use the proceeds to help refugees.Of course, we can also decide on our own to distribute a certain amount of rice or flour to the poor for free.We will build soup kitchens (porridge factories).

Gulou Hospital received 12 cans of gasoline from me.Han Xianglin asked someone to deliver the water tank to our yard.The third air-raid shelter in our yard is about to be built, with an iron plate on the roof and a brick entrance.In the afternoon, I received 20,000 yuan from the Weixu Command (Long Shunqin and Mr. Lin).The Supreme Commander promised to donate us 100,000 yuan, which was the first payment.When I asked when I would get the rest, Dr. Hang Liwu shrugged and said maybe another 30,000 yuan would be paid.Looks like we'll have to make as much money as possible out of rice and flour.Otherwise, we will run out of cash very quickly.

Fitch, Kroeger, Dr. Smythe, Mr. Wang from the YMCA, Riggs, etc. joined me to visit my new house at No. 5 Ninghai Road, where we will officially open the committee office tomorrow.Dr. Smythe was so excited by the beauty of the house and the luxury of the facilities (the bomb shelter was worth 17,500 yuan) that he decided to call me only John HD Rabe Rockefeller from now on.Committee meeting at 6pm at the British Council.After the meeting, journalists and Europeans were called for a meeting.We announced the plan and the distribution of the various positions to the press.At 7:30 p.m., a committee meeting was held at the Capital Hotel.It is difficult for us to decide whether to proceed with the establishment of the refugee area, because we still have not received an answer from the Japanese authorities.If we asked the citizens who remained in Nanjing to move into the neutral zone, but the Japanese flatly refused, then we would bear a great deal of responsibility.As a result of the vote, most members agreed that we should continue working.The wording of the Opening of the Neutral Zone announcement must be very careful.We first need to ask every Chinese who distributes newspapers here: Is there anyone here, and who are they staying here.That said, we're going to check a barometer of Chinese sentiment.We will temporarily refer to the Neutral Zone as the "Refugee Zone", not the "Safe Zone".That way, if someone accuses us later, we are somewhat protected.

Dr. Rosen got news from the Americans that Rahman, the head of the National Socialist Party's China Branch, had forwarded my telegrams to Hitler and Kriber.Thankfully, now I'm sure we're saved.The Führer will not leave me alone!A telegram to the German embassy in Tokyo was also forwarded.Hurter called and said: Dr. Rosen asked the Germans to gather together and discuss when they must board the barque.The result: Kroeger, Sperling, young Hirschberg and Harz (an Austrian engineer), these gentlemen are all here to help me.Then it is neither necessary nor worthwhile to negotiate.Considering the barque: Mrs. Hirschberg and her daughter, two of them already on board (Mrs. Hirschberg will make the barque better for the women, I hear it's in a bad state ); besides Dr. Rosen, Hürter and Scharfenberg (all 3 from the embassy), two salesmen (Miss Neumann and a Russian woman whose name I do not know) and Kisling Iba Accountant for Del's Bakery.However, the last one may still stay here. I need to find an accountant for the finance department led by Kroeger.Accompanied by Mrs. von Schuckmann, Dr. Hirschberg sent the sick Zhang Qun to Hankou.Before that I gave him some of the insulin I had stockpiled.Dr. Hirschberg wanted to fly back (as he said) because we desperately needed a doctor.

At 8 o'clock in the evening, I had dinner with Mayor Ma, Lin Xunxin (transliteration), Lin Duxin (transliteration), Xie Xiaochun (transliteration) and Liu Zefang (transliteration) at the Capital Hotel.The Chinese and I delivered speeches successively.Other than that, nothing noteworthy was discussed.Anyway, this is a "farewell banquet".Mr. Han and his friend Mr. Sun from the Yihetong brick and tile factory were appointed by me as food committee members.Mr. Han smiled happily. He has never held such a high position in his life.It is of course the first time I have been appointed to such a high position.Today, we heard 3 air raid sirens during that time, but no air strikes.Han (Xianglin) said he saw 20 brand new Chinese planes flying west.

The French priest Jacques Nou (from the refugee area in South Shanghai) forwarded us a telegram from the Japanese authorities.Here is the translation: December 1, 1937 Telegram to Nanjing Embassy (Nanjing American Embassy): London took the reply as a flat refusal, according to radio reports.We see it differently here.From a diplomatic point of view, this reply was cleverly worded and left a way out.But on the whole, it is still beneficial.We simply do not expect the Japanese to take responsibility for the "mishandling of the Chinese military".The conclusion of the telegram, "But the Japanese government will try to respect this area..." etc., is very satisfactory.I then sent the following call back through the US embassy:

The German ambassador Dr. Trautmann and the embassy counselor Dr. Laugen Schlager returned from Hankou, which surprised people.In response to questions, Dr. Rosen explained that the matter had nothing to do with the committee's work.However, Dr. Rosen also told me in private: the ambassador did not fully agree with the telegrams I sent to the Führer and Kriber, and he did not think it necessary to send these two telegrams!I'm going to visit Dr. Trautman tomorrow because I don't have time today.I estimate that his return has something to do with Germany's peace mediation.Mayor Ma asked me about the situation, but of course I couldn't give him a definite answer.

We had a hard time finding means of transportation to pick up the rice and flour that were being delivered to us.Some of them are stored far away from the secure area and left unattended.It is said that military agencies have taken a large amount of rice from it.Of the 30,000 bags of rice given to us, it is said that there are only 15,000 bags left. At 6 p.m., at the regular meeting of the English Club, the press was briefed as follows: The Nanjing Safety Zone International Committee hereby announces that it has received a telegram from Father Jacano this morning from Shanghai.According to the telegram, the Japanese authorities have stated that as long as they do not conflict with Japan's necessary military measures, the Japanese authorities will strive to respect the safe zone area.

According to this semi-official statement, and in the hope of receiving a direct answer from the Japanese authorities, the committee decided at its meeting this afternoon to start various preparations for the resettlement of the refugees who will be moved into the safe zone. The Committee has received explicit assurances from the Chinese military and civil authorities that the civilian nature of the safe zone will be fully respected. In view of the aforementioned assurances, the Committee feels obliged to take precautionary measures for the resettlement of the large number of suffering residents.

Father Jacano established the Shanghai Nanshi Refugee District.The full text of his telegram mentioned above reads as follows: (See above for the full text of the telegram) This telegram was a reply to the Commission's telegram to an international team in Shanghai on the evening of November 29.The full text of the Commission's telegram follows: We implore you, in the interests of the safe zone, to call on the Japanese embassy official Hidaka and the Japanese ambassador as soon as possible, and authorize you to inform the other party that the Chinese authorities have fully agreed to our proposal and provided us with rice and other items to show their support. ——It is urgent.

At the same time, Mr. John HD Rabe, chairman of the committee, sent the following telegram to the Japanese authorities in Shanghai on the evening of November 29: Thanks to the friendly help of the American embassy, ​​the International Committee submitted a proposal on the establishment of the Nanjing Safety Zone to the Japanese authorities on November 22.Without presumptuousness, the Committee once again begs for the kind consideration of this proposal.Since measures must be taken in advance to rescue the thousands of civilians who can find refuge only in safe areas, it is urgent for the Commission to begin its work immediately.On humanitarian grounds, an immediate response to this recommendation is urgently desired. On November 22, the full text of the original proposal was sent to the Japanese authorities by telegram.When we learned that the other party had received the document on the morning of November 23, we handed over the full text of the proposal to the press for publication on November 24.The full text of the proposal is as follows: (See the full text of the proposal above) Colonel Fang Xiao (transliteration) attended the press conference as a liaison officer of the Police Agency. According to the narrative of the embassy police, Dr. Rosen informed that the police were ordered to leave the city together with the army.Mayor Ma denied this. At 8 o'clock in the evening, attend the farewell dinner of Dr. Hang Liwu at Fuchang Hotel.Mr. Ding reopened the restaurant, ostensibly managed by Sperling, who lives there.Dr. Hang carried 14,000 boxes of palace treasures to Hankou tonight.He had to leave 1,000 boxes because the shipping conditions couldn't keep up.We deeply regret his passing because he was extremely capable and helped us a lot.We hope he can return here. We heard 3 sirens today.Bombs were dropped and there were numerous air battles.It is said that three Japanese planes were shot down during the air battle. Dr. Rosen came to visit me and conveyed the regards of Dr. Trautman to me.Dr. Trautman went back to Hankou last night in the customs patrol boat he came in.After hesitating for a moment, Rosen admitted that the ambassador had indeed gone to the Supreme Commander with a proposal for peaceful mediation.Of course, it is impossible for me to learn the details of the peace proposal from Mr. Rosen, so I don't bother with it.As long as such steps are actually taken, it is enough for me, I hope these suggestions will bring good results!Dr. Rosen showed me another telegram addressed to the Ambassador himself, which read as follows: Dr. Rosen concluded that ambassadors from other countries were not given similar content.That way, the commission can decide for itself what to do with the news without revealing who the generator is.Dr. Rosen suggested that we get in touch with Chiang Kai-shek's wife. Although General Tang, who was in charge of guarding the city of Nanking, assured us that all military personnel and military command posts would be withdrawn from the refugee area, we still found that 3 new trenches and anti-aircraft artillery positions were dug in the above-mentioned area.I told General Tang's special envoy that if the construction work was not stopped immediately and the promise to clear the generals from the safe zone was not fulfilled, I would resign and dissolve the International Committee.People put written pledges to all the demands we made, but at the same time pointed out that it would take time to implement them. We took issue with an article in a Chinese tabloid (Mosquito News), which urged readers not to enter the so-called safe zone for foreigners and would rather burn all their belongings to nothing than let them fell into the hands of the Japanese.Mayor Ma pointed out that he wanted to express his attitude towards such nonsense. The following announcement was made at the press conference at 18:00: News Brief 3 December 1937 1. Read out a copy of the reply to Father Jacano's telegram on December 2. 2. This morning the committee asked the Chinese military authorities to start withdrawing all military installations from the area. 3. Members and friends of the committee observed that Chinese soldiers resumed digging operations in three places in the southwestern region of the region. This afternoon the committee conducted on-the-spot observations and notified the incident to the headquarters of the Nanjing Garrison Commander.We are gratified to see an immediate order from Headquarters that construction work must cease. 4. The committee decided that the safety zone should adopt the same symbol as the refugee zone in Nanshi: a red cross in the middle of a red circle on a white background. We've had hours of air combat today.Radio London has reported yesterday's visit to Nanking by the German ambassador and briefly mentions that Dr. Trautmann has brought peace proposals to the Supreme Commander.A radio station in Shanghai reported that a Japanese military parade here had been disrupted by a Chinese bombing.The assailant was killed instantly, and some soldiers were slightly or seriously wounded.The Japanese then occupied the International Concession. Our difficulty in clearing Chinese soldiers from the safe zone is great.Instead of withdrawing as General Tang had promised, the soldiers continued to dig new trenches and erect military telephone facilities in the safe zone.I protested sternly and pointed out that if this continues, the committee will have to let things go.In this case, they kept assuring us that all soldiers would be withdrawn from the safe zone within 3 days.At this time, there were rumors that the Japanese would come to the city in two days.I even thought I heard gunfire (or maybe I was mistaken).Only half of the 8 trucks transporting food came today.We went through several more hours of air strikes.My friend Kroeger was busy at the airfield when several bombs fell 100 meters away from him and almost killed him.We had a long meeting of the committee to discuss whether it would be possible to make use of what Dr. Rosen had conveyed in the telegram from Tokyo to Ambassador Dr. Trautman on November 30.We cannot make any resolutions, as the Chinese now seem determined to defend the city, so there is a good chance that the Chinese will angrily reject our proposal, thus endangering the neutral zone that is being prepared.The radio station in Shanghai reported that Chiang Kai-shek flatly rejected the peace proposal brought to the Supreme Command by Dr. Trautman in Guling (the location was deliberately changed, because the Supreme Commander is currently in Nanking). Suspect. Refugees began to move into the safe zone one after another.A tabloid (Mosquito News) repeatedly warned the Chinese not to enter refugee areas for "foreigners".The inflammatory newspaper wrote that it was the duty of every Chinese to face up to the danger even when cities were being bombarded. At the press conference at 18:00, the press received the following information: Special article for the press and police December 4, 1937 In the safe area (Chinese translation uses "refugee area") Temporary measures for resettlement of residents and distribution of food 1. Placement 1. The safety zone is not yet ready for large-scale resettlement of residents.The current war situation has not yet reached the point where this must be done. 2. In order to minimize the number of people fleeing into the safe zone at the critical moment (that is, the last moment), the committee suggests that families can arrange their own residences now through private consultation with relatives and friends.The committee reserves the right to house refugees in these houses if necessary. 3. A special committee responsible for resettlement of refugees is currently busy in the district to understand the situation of all houses that can be considered for resettlement of refugees.For those refugees who cannot find housing in the district through personal relationship, the committee will resolve it through negotiation.This method will not be implemented unless it is absolutely necessary (that is, the situation of the war is urgent).Once this moment arrives, an official announcement will be issued to formally announce the activation of the safe zone. 4. Private negotiations only apply to private houses, not public buildings or schools. 5. The available space in the safety zone is limited, so furniture or similar properties are not allowed to be brought into the zone.Only bedding, clothing and food are allowed. 2. Meal 1. At present, there are not enough food reserves in the area to feed a large number of refugees, so the refugees who have moved into the safe area must have food that can last at least a week. 2. It is recommended that merchants who specialize in rice, noodles and other food and fuel supplies enter the zone now to continue their business. 3. Reserve rice and flour for the distribution of the committee in the area, and use it when the grain stocks of private traders are exhausted.Once this happens, the stockpiles will be given to private traders with a commission license for sale. 3. Means of transportation The committee is in urgent need of trucks and carts to transport the reserve materials to the area, and therefore requests that the transportation tools be provided to the committee for free or for a fee. 4. The opening time of the safety zone Before the Chinese military personnel and all their military facilities leave the area, the safe zone cannot be officially used to resettle refugees. Signature: Nanjing Safety Zone International Committee (known in Chinese text as: refugee area) Safe Zone Management Committee (Situation on December 3, 1937) 1. Council: 1. Chairman of the International Committee: John HD Rabe 2. Secretary: Dr Lewis SC Smythe 3. Director General: George Fitch 4. Deputy Director General: Dr Hang Liwu 5. Treasurer: Christian Kroeger 6 .Director of the Chinese Secretariat: Tang (Zhongmo), Director of the Department 2. Committee: 1. Chief Inspector: Edward Sperling 2. Grain Committee: Director Han Xianglin Hubert L. Thorne Associate Director Sun Yaosan Zhu Jing Cai Chaosong (transliteration) Chao Laowu (transliteration) Xiao CC Meng Zhou Baoxin (transliteration) (Red Swastika Society) 3. Housing Committee: Director Wang Ting Charles Riggs Deputy Director charles gee Zhu Shuchang (transliteration) Owen CC Zhu Xu Haolu (transliteration) Wang Mingde (transliteration) YS Zhang Wang Youcheng 4. Health Committee: Director Shen Yushu Dr. CS Trimmer Deputy Director 5. Transportation Committee: Director EL Hirschberg RR Hartz Deputy Director (non-committee member) On a sunny Sunday, just after 8 am, the troubles of the day began.The driver who was supposed to pick me up left me alone, and was reprimanded severely by me.Whining - firing - apologizing - rehiring.I think this may be the 25th time he has been fired and hired again, it's almost like an anniversary celebration!When I finally got in the car, the alarm went off again and the bomb was dropped.I now have a pass and even if the alarm goes off a second time I can still drive out.Besides, there are so many things to do that we can't care about the bombs, which sounds a little heroic.But with great luck -- great, great -- the bombs always fall elsewhere.We finally received an official reply from Tokyo regarding the safe zone through the US embassy. Although the content was more detailed, it was not much different from the telegram reply sent to us by Father Jacano a few days ago, which means that the Japanese refused again. , but promised to protect the safe zone as much as possible.The full text of the telegram is as follows: From: Shanghai to: Nanjing, December 5, 1937 Clear code telegram to Hankou Embassy in Nanjing Safety Zone Nanjing Embassy Peiping Embassy Washington State Department 1087 December 4, 18:00 Text and: Nanjing November 22, 1937 Telegram No. 944 Subject: Nanjing Safety Zone The Japanese authorities have carefully considered the proposal of the Nanjing International District, and the Japanese Ambassador, through the Consul General, is hereby notifying the American Ambassador of the following notice: 1. Considering that in the event of an emergency, the committee does not have the natural conditions and artificial facilities to completely cut off the connection between the safe zone and the outside world, it is necessary to provide the leadership of the safe zone with sufficient materials or other special powers so that when fighting occurs near the safe zone , able to prevent the Chinese armed forces from entering the safe zone for protection or using the safe zone for military purposes. 2. In addition, it must be taken into account that there are Chinese military installations and strongholds in the safe zone or near the safe zone. Once a battle breaks out in Nanjing, it is difficult for these facilities and strongholds not to be used by the Chinese army . 3. In view of the above reasons, the Japanese government believes that even if this proposal is welcomed by the Chinese authorities, there is still no guarantee that in the event of fighting in Nanking, the Chinese army will be completely prevented from entering the safe zone and using the safe zone for military purposes. 4. While the Government of Japan fully recognizes the noble motives of the leadership responsible for this proposal, under the circumstances, the Government of Japan does not undertake to guarantee that the said area will be free from bombardment or bombing in the future. 5. The following situation can be regarded as a statement that the Japanese military has no intention of launching an attack on a location not used by the Chinese military or an area where there is no military installation or deployment of the Chinese military. (This copy is sent to Hankou, Nanjing, Peiping, and Tokyo) Signature: Gauss Dr. Bates and Sperling and I visited General Tang (Commander of the Nanking Garrison) to obtain assurances from him that all military personnel and military command posts should be withdrawn immediately from the safe zone.We have already been assured that the withdrawal will begin within three days.When General Tang informed us that this was impossible and that it would take at least two weeks for the troops to leave the safe zone, our surprise was indescribable.This is simply a blow to the head!Japanese planes can easily confirm that there are still troops remaining in the area, so the Japanese requirement that Chinese troops not be deployed in the area has not been met.At present, it is impossible for us to consider building a "safe zone". This can only be a "refugee zone" at best.Of course you can't despair.The Committee met at length to discuss this development and has produced the following press release.The press cannot get all the facts, otherwise we would be destroying ourselves. China Press Conference on December 5, 1937 1. With the goodwill of the U.S. Navy radio station, the committee received a direct reply from the Japanese authorities in Shanghai this morning, and the reply is attached. 2. At 11:00 this morning, Mr. John HD Rabe, chairman of the committee, Mr. Edward Sperling, the chief inspector, and Dr. MS Bates visited General Tang Shengzhi and discussed with him how to withdraw military installations from the designated safety zone. .In reply, Mr. General Tang made the following statement as a clarification for his Committee letter of December 3, 1937 (attached). (1) If the safety zone proposed in the proposal is clearly marked, the Chinese military will consider not setting up new military facilities in the zone. (2) In addition, the establishment or use of military fortification facilities, including anti-aircraft guns (artillery for defense against aircraft), should no longer be continued in the zone, and all other weapons and armed forces should be withdrawn from the zone. (3) Other service facilities that do not include the armed forces or the standing army, withdraw from the safe zone when necessary. At its meeting this afternoon, the committee decided to start working now on the basis of the above statement.The safe zone will be fenced with flags within the time frame agreed with General Tang so that residents and soldiers can familiarize themselves with the boundaries of the safe zone.Only after issuing a formal statement to the belligerents did the commission announce the official opening of the safe zone.No such official announcement is currently pending until all agreed conditions have been met. Translation of a letter from General Tang Shengzhi, Commander of Nanjing Guards, on December 3, 1937: To Mr. John HD Rabe Chairman of Nanjing Safety Zone International Committee Dear Mr: Your letter has been received.I learned that your committee, in the spirit of benevolence, plans to set up a refugee area in Nanjing in order to protect the common people.You request that I, as the commander in charge of city defense, promise to withdraw all military installations and command posts (including traffic command posts) from the area, and prohibit military personnel from living in or entering the area.In view of the fact that such a district has already been established in Shanghai, and considering that such a district can save the lives of many poor people and alleviate their suffering, I fully agree in principle with the idea of ​​establishing such a district. I can assure you that your wishes will be fulfilled, but at the same time I must point out the difficulties of practical implementation.There are always priorities, so some things have to be considered. With regard to the withdrawal of all military organizations and transport facilities from the safe zone, I have issued an order to carry out according to your wishes.As soon as I can, I will urge military personnel not to live in or pass through the zone.All in all, I will accommodate your wishes within the limits of my competence, because, as Garrison Commander, I admire the work of your committee and would like to cooperate wholeheartedly with you. Hope your efforts pay off. best regards your faithful Signature: Tang Shengzhi Commander of the Nanjing Theater Garrison The bombs fell one after the other.If the explosion was too loud, we would move our chairs a little further away from the window.The bomb shelter in our yard is the best, too bad we don't have time to use it.The radio station in Shanghai reported that the Japanese would not recognize our safe zone, and they are now only 13 kilometers away from Nanking.If this news is true, then the Japanese will arrive at the city gate in two or three days, not two weeks as General Tang said.The city gate was about to be blocked, and only half of the three city gate holes were left open.The beautiful poplar trees on both sides of the road from the city gate to Schmeling's house were cut down to block the street.This kind of roadblock is child's play for tanks.People come up with this idea just for show.But who knows?We are busy delivering rice noodles to the district.Boundary flags and wall notices have been prepared. The notices are used to introduce the safe zone to the poor people outside the area. We dare not make any guarantees for the safety of these poor people.Father Jacano also faced the same difficulties in Shanghai, and it was not until the shelling of Nanshi that the warring parties realized the value of his safe zone.Dr. Rosen has a lot of opinions on the Chinese soldiers. As far as he knows, the Chinese soldiers sneaked into the zone because they felt safer in the empty houses with German flags than outside the zone.I'm not sure if this is true.But one thing is true. General Tang received us today in a house in the refugee area. From 07:30, the air raid sirens came one after the other, but thankfully our refugee area was not bombed.News came from Wuhu that the two ships "Takwo" (Jardine Matheson) and "Datong" (Swire Matheson) moored in the dock were bombed, and many Chinese died. It is said that the "Takwo" Completely burned.The captain of a British gunboat moored nearby was wounded by shrapnel during the raid.Now, Nanjing residents are beginning to enter the safe zone one after another.Tomorrow, a notice will be pasted on the wall of the passageway in the safe area, and this area will be surrounded by the committee's flag (red circle and red cross on a white background).Most of the Americans who remained here boarded an American warship today, and the rest stood ready to board at any time. Only members of our committee refused to board.Dr. Rosen has given me a confidential message that Chiang Kai-shek has accepted a peace offer from Ambassador Dr. Trautman.Dr. Rosen hoped that peace would come before the Japanese took Nanjing (may he be justified in his hopes!).Radio stations in Shanghai reported that the Japanese occupation of Nanking was imminent. In today's air raid, the bombing of the Pukou railway facility killed 20 people. I had an interesting conversation with Colonel Huang of the Officers' Moral Training Association who is now sitting next to me.Huang firmly disapproved of the establishment of a safe zone.He believed that such a district would undermine the morale of the Nanking troops.He explained to me: "We lost the war through our own fault, and we should have been able to defend better. We should have defended our country with our own blood and kept the Japanese from occupying an inch of land. But we Backed off. Nanking should be guarded to the last man. Those who are now moving into the zone could have helped our soldiers if you hadn't established a security zone." What can I say about such grotesque talk?Such a person turned out to be the senior official closest to Chiang Kai-shek's Supreme Command! "Here's the thing: the ones who stay stay because they don't have the money to run away with their families and little possessions, and they're the poorest of the poor, and it's up to them to pay with their lives for the military Did you make a mistake! Dear Mr. Huang, why don’t you order the rich citizens of Nanjing, those 800,000 wealthy citizens who escaped to stay? Why do you always ask the poorest people in society to sacrifice their lives? " We also talked about the question of when military personnel and military command posts should leave the safety zone. He believed that they should withdraw at the last moment, that is, when street fighting broke out in the streets of Nanjing, and they could not be withdrawn a minute earlier. This is the case in Nanshi.Still, Father Jacano instituted the Safe Zone, and it was a huge success because of it.But Mr. Huang forgot that Nanshi could get food and other necessities from the adjacent foreign concession at any time.And we are in Nanjing, if we want to be fully prepared, we must prepare rice noodles, salt, fuel, medicine, cooking utensils and other things in the safe area before the Japanese arrive. We couldn’t raise money anymore, because we lost contact with the outside world at that time.We have to consider having doctors and nurses, arrange for the removal of feces, consider burials, police, and if necessary, backup police, because the police are most likely to retreat with the retreating soldiers. If there are mobs at this time If there is trouble, then the problem will become serious.Do all these preparations have to be done at the last moment?I can't even think about it!During the one-and-a-half-hour conversation, I tried to change Mr. Huang's mind, but to no avail. He is Chinese. To him, hundreds of thousands of compatriots are nothing. They are poor and useless, only to die! We also touched on the issue of guarding the city.General von Falkenhausen and all the German advisers pointed out that the defense of the city was hopeless, since there would be no results, why sacrifice lives?Of course, it is necessary to set up a peripheral defense line, and we cannot ask a general who wants to save face to hand over the city, but fighting on the city walls and fighting in the streets, this is out-and-out nonsense, a cruel massacre!But saying nothing will help, my eloquence won't help!Mr. Huang said that honor requires us to fight to the last drop of blood!Ah, then we'll see!Mr. Bai, the director of Nanjing Power Plant, and Mr. Lu, the chief engineer, also said that in order to ensure the operation of the power plant, they must persist in Nanjing until the last moment.Now the power plant is still running, but I don't know who is in charge. Anyway, Mr. Bai and Mr. Lu have already left. Special article for the press December 6, 1937 1. This afternoon, the committee delivered a letter to the garrison commander, General Tang Shengzhi, expressing his gratitude for his specific statement on the safety zone on December 3, and informing him of his proposal to mark the boundary markers for the safety zone It should be implemented immediately.Considering the necessity of completely civilianizing the safe zone, in order to ensure the necessary safety of the tens of thousands of refugees who will move into the safe zone in the future, the committee hopes that the garrison commander will continue to work hard to withdraw Chinese soldiers from the zone as soon as possible.We have full confidence in the Garrison Commander's commitment, and we appreciate and are grateful for the Garrison Commander's compassionate concern for civilians in need of protection.The Committee will continue its work on this basis. 2. At 1:00 this afternoon, the Commission sent a telegram in reply to the telegram received yesterday from the Japanese authorities: Telegram to the Japanese authorities on December 6, 1937: 1. The International Committee has received the reply from the Japanese authorities, and the Committee has recorded the contents.Chinese authorities are currently reducing the number of military installations and withdrawing military personnel from the zone.The committee has begun to mark the boundaries of the area with flags featuring a red cross with a red circle on a white background (the red picture symbolizes the safe zone).Hang a large banner with the above marks horizontally on the ground at the corner of the safety zone or on the roof of the building. 2. In view of the fact that the remaining Chinese military personnel in the safe zone are gradually withdrawing, and at the same time taking into account the concerns and plight of tens of thousands of refugees and other civilians who have poured into the zone, the committee hopes that the Japanese military will Do not bomb the area, and do not launch any kind of offensive in the area.The International Committee will endeavor to complete the work assigned to it as quickly as possible. 3. The International Committee was informed that the Japanese authorities made a commitment in paragraph 5 of the telegram reply, for which we are grateful.The content of the Japanese commitment is as follows: The following situation can be regarded as a statement that the Japanese military has no intention of launching an attack on a location not used by the Chinese military or an area where there is no military installation or deployment of the Chinese military. 4. The International Committee hereby informs the Japanese authorities that a total of 15 to 20 foreign personnel volunteered to manage the safety zone.The continued presence of expatriate members in the city shows that they consider the assurances made by the Chinese and Japanese authorities regarding the safe zone to be honest and credible, and it also shows that the committee is firmly committed to enforcing all regulations concerning the safe zone. Signed: John Rabe Chairman of the International Committee Nanjing Ninghai Road to General Tang Shengzhi December 6, 1937 Nanjing Theater Commander Nanjing Dear Mr. General Tang: Yesterday you had a very friendly conversation with the chairman and representatives of the committee. The committee hereby expresses its heartfelt thanks for your approval of the committee's work and your support in helping refugees and civilians in Nanjing. The Committee would like to thank you in particular for your detailed assurances regarding the Safe Zone: 1. No new military installations, trenches or other bunkers shall be established in the safe area, and artillery shall not be left in the area; 2. After the safe area has been clearly marked, order the prohibition of all military personnel from entering the safe area; 3. All military personnel belonging to military command posts or other departments must gradually withdraw from the safety zone. As for your suggestion to clearly mark the safe zone, the committee will implement it immediately so that Chinese military personnel can carry out your order. The committee and Mr. Fang, the police chief under your command, have agreed to post a notice to the Chinese soldiers, briefing them on the nature and function of the safe zone, so that they can understand the reasons why they are prohibited from entering the safe zone. The Committee has noted with concern and understanding your statement that it will be very difficult to implement the Committee's wishes.对此委员会要指出，接待大规模难民有一定的困难。他们寻求得到保护，但是只要安全区内布置有军事设施和军事人员，这种保护就不能得到。 委员会不否认您说法的正确性，即：短时间内从安全区撤出武装军事人员比较困难。但另一方面请允许委员会冒昧地指出，由于通讯联系的难度越来越大，总有一天，当等到最后一分钟才开始从区内撤出全部军事设施时，几乎就不会再有机会通知日本人安全区开始启用了。而在这一段时间内日本人会轰炸区内的难民，并指责中国军方因滞留在所谓的安全区而必须对此负责。 为此，委员会希望您继续努力，尽快从安全区内撤出所有部队。委员会已经发表了一项声明，表达了对您所作承诺的充分信任。 最后，委员会在此对您充满同情地顾及到平民百姓的利益表示感谢，请求能继续得到您的友好合作以及您关于安全区各项努力的建议。安全区维系着许多中国人的命运。 此致崇高的敬意 签名：约翰·拉贝 昨天夜里可以听到热闹的来往汽车声。清晨约5时许，大批飞机从低空掠过我们的房顶，这是最高统帅蒋介石的告别仪式。我昨天下午拜访的黄上校也走了，这是奉了最高统帅的命令！留下来的全部是穷苦的人民和我们几个决心要和最穷苦的人们在我们的所谓“安全区”共患难的欧美人。据上海方面电台的报道（13时），日本人已经推进到了汤山，距离南京只有几个小时的路程。现在可以看见贫穷的百姓带着生活用品和铺盖从四面八方进入我们的安全区，这些人还不是最贫穷的，他们只是先头部队。他们还有点钱财，可以花钱借位在安全区内的亲戚朋友处。真正一无所有的人还没有进来。安置他们必须要开放中小学和大学，以集体住宿的方式安置，由粥厂向他们提供膳食。答应提供给我们的粮食，我们最多只运进来了四分之一。 我们缺乏运输工具，现有的运输车辆不断地被军方征用。今天上午，我们的两辆卡车被军方拖走了，现在只归还了一辆，另外一辆尚未归还，车上还装着我们急需的两吨盐。我们一直在找这辆车。最高统帅部刚才又发给我2万元，这样，我总共得到了4万元，而不是答应的10万元。该对这个数字满意了，许诺和守信根本就是两回事！对这种分期交付赠款的方式最高统帅似乎一点也不知道，不能因此而去责备他。明天所有的城门将关闭，剩余的美国人将送上美国军舰。我今天还通过美国大使馆的艾奇逊先生向德国大使馆发了一份给西门子洋行的电报，请求把应付的人身保险费通过上海德华银行付给多德韦尔公司，但愿这份电报能发过去，保险费这个月到期。今天下午，安全区已经用委员会的旗子标记出来了。接下来就是我们等待已久的艰难时刻了。我希望我们首先能健康地活下去，当然我们是沉着的，是充满勇气的！或许情况并不像我们想象的那么糟糕。God bless!God bless!God bless! 此外上海方面的电台还报道，特劳特曼博士先生在结束了对南京的短暂访问后乘海关巡逻艇已经抵达了汉口。据说他提出的和平建议被蒋介石拒绝了。关于南京城的守卫，电台报道说，市区内不会发生战斗，因为日本人不打算摧毁各个国务部门富丽堂皇的建筑，这些消息和这里目前的实际情况形成了鲜明的对照。前面我已经提到，根据罗森博士的秘密通知，特劳特曼博士提出的和平建议已被最高统帅接受。此时，城内正在为保卫战做最后的准备。这里的每一个士兵都声称要战斗到最后一个人。当然，出于外交惯例，人们在报道中会有意地歪曲事实。This is no surprise.城门外的房子被烧掉了。人们要求那些住在城郊接合部、房子被烧的老百姓躲进我们的安全区，这说明人们还是默认了我们的安全区。克勒格尔刚从施梅林家（南门内）回来，他发现房门已经被撬开，部分物品遭劫。出于实际的考虑，他让人先把剩下的饮料全部带了回来。许尔特尔报告说，他今天在去汤山的时候，进入了中日双方战线之间的地区，幸运的是他没受到任何伤害。这样我们就得到了确切的消息，日本人真的已经推进到了汤山，没多久就会到这里了。 我们在山西路入口处竖起第一批委员会旗帜时，美联社记者还给我们摄了影。在18时的新闻发布会上，马市长没有露面，外国人也仅有一半人出席，估计其余的人可能已经上船了。有人谣传城内靠近城门的房子也要烧掉。这在那些任在南门附近的穷苦百姓中造成了恐慌，几百户家庭的一家老小涌向我们安全区，但是在黑夜中又找不到住宿的地方。妇女和儿童瑟缩哭喊着坐在铺盖卷上，等待着去找住处的丈夫和父亲。我们今天运进了2117袋米，明天是否还能进出城门就要打问号了。 供报界专稿1937年12月7日 一、今天下午（大约过了16时），已经开始在山西路交叉路口处安置界旗。 二、根据警察局方局长的报告，唐将军已经发布命令，从安全区境内撤出全部军事设施。我们的总稽查（施佩林先生）确认，高射炮阵地已经从五台山撤出，此外我们还注意到，其他一系列军事设施也正准备运走。 三、今天晚上发布了通告，要求所有店主将商店迁进安全区，并尽可能多地将储存的商品带进安全区。 四、今天晚上还向中国报界提供一份公告文本（附后），该公告将于明天在安全区域内广为张贴，公告用通俗易懂的语言向市民介绍安全区的意义。 五、同时还向中国报界披露安全区的行为守则，该守则也将于明天在安全区内广为张贴。下面是该守则中特别关于住宿和膳食问题的几个要点： 1.住宿： （1）建议居民尽可能在安全区内达成私人住房协议。需交付的房租应尽可能的低，绝不应超过和平时期通行的价格。 （2）安全区内的公共建筑以及学校是给没有能力签订私人住房协议的最贫穷的人预留的。学校只有在迫不得已的情况下才予以开放。 （3）对于居留在公共建筑物和学校的家庭，其家庭成员可以共同安置在一起，但是寝室的安置将根据性别区分。该住宿的安置是免费的，为了能安置大规模的难民，向每人提供的寝室面积不超过16平方英尺。 （4）在安全区启用后，若以上设施不足以安置全部难民，委员会将要求安全区内所有空房或仅得到部分使用的房屋的主人免费接纳剩余的无家可归者。 2.膳食： （1）指定分发给委员会并由委员会储备的大米、面粉由经过委员会特许的私商出售。 （2）穷人的膳食（稀饭）由红卍字会和红十字会负责管理的粥厂以低价提供。粥厂分别位于五台山、金陵大学附近，以及山西路交叉路口。 3.安全区的启用时间： （1）一旦中国军方撤出全部军事设施，委员会将向双方（中方和日方）正式宣布启用安全区。 （2）公共建筑物和学校设施将尽快开放，安置最贫穷的人，开放事宜将另行公布。 （3）安全区的最终开放还将通过报纸的专版予以公布。 供中国报界和安全区布告使用： 告南京市民书 在不久以前，上海战争的时候，国际委员会曾经向中日双方当局建议，在南市一部分的地方设立一个平民安全区。这个区域为双方所赞同的。中国当局允诺中国军队不进入指定的区域。这个区域既然没有驻兵，日方也就赞同不再攻打那个地方了。这个协定为双方所遵守的。在那个区域以外的南市各地方，虽然有恐怖和毁灭的事，然而这个难民区域却是被救了，而且又救了整千整万人的生命。 现在在南京的国际委员会也为本城作了同样的建议，这个区域的界址开在下面：“东面以中山路北段从新街口到山西路广场为界；北面以山西路广场沿西到西康路（即新住宅区的西南界路）为界；西面以由西康路向南到汉口路交界（即新住宅区的西南角），又向东南成直线到上海路与汉口路交界处为界；南面以汉中路与上海路交界处到原起点的新街口为界。”这个区域的边界都用了旗帜作记号。在旗帜上面有一个红十字，红十字以外再有一个红圆圈，并在旗上写了“难民区”三字。 为着要使上述的区域为平民成为一个安全地点，卫戍司令长官曾允诺在本区域以内所有的兵士和军事设备一概从速搬出，并且允诺以后军人一律不进本区。日本一方面说：“对于规定之区域颇难担负不轰炸之责。”在另一方面又说：“凡无军事设备，无工事建筑，不驻兵，及不为军事利用之地点，日本军队决无意轰炸，此乃自然之理。” 看到以上中日两方面的允诺，我们希望在所指定的区域内为平民谋真正的安全。然而在战争的时候，对于任何人的安全自然不能担保的。无论何人也不应当认为进了这个区域，就可以完全保险平安。我们相信，倘然中日双方都能遵守他们的允诺，这个区域以内的人民，当然比他处的人民平安得多啦，因此，市民可以请进来吧！ 南京难民区国际委员会 民国二十六年十二月八日 昨天下午，佣人张把他的妻子从鼓楼医院接了回来。她还没有完全恢复，但是在这段最困难的日子里，她想和自己的孩子们在一起。我们的勤杂工很难过，他的家人在城外20公里的地方，他没法把他们接过来。他没有时间，因为我们的厨师病了，他要承担厨师的一部分工作。关于此事，他一个字也没有向我说过，我以为他的家人早就在这里了，但现在为时已晚。即使他出得了城门，他也许就再也进不了城了。 昨天晚上相当平静，这说不定就是暴风雨前的平静吧？ !电台报道了由特劳特曼博士提出的和平建议的细节，据该报道披露，日本要求中国： 1.承认满洲国； 2.在上海设立租界； 3.改组国民党； 4.加入反苏维埃联盟。 这原本听上去并不过分，应当是可以被蒋介石接受的，不过电台对此的说法恰恰相反。也说不定日本人想先占领南京，然后再签署和平协议。 一个人将来会变成什么样，有时是意想不到的！两年前在北戴河的一次茶会上，特劳特曼博士用这么一句话来和我打招呼：“看，南京市长来了。”我当时听了他的玩笑还有些不高兴（那时我是南京地区小组副组长）。可是现在，这句玩笑几乎要变成真的了。当然，一般情况下，一个欧洲人是不可能成为一个中国城市的市长的。但是现在出现了这么一个情况：前一段时间一直和我们合作的马市长昨天离开了南京。于是委员会不得不开始在难民区内处理应由市政府处理的市政管理工作和问题。这样，我真有点像一名“执行市长”了。拉贝呀拉贝，你得意忘形了！ 电台根据《上海晚报》报道，蒋介石打算辞去中国军队最高统帅的职务，他的继任者是现在的军政部长何应钦。汪精卫被推举为新的国民政府的首脑。不过也有传闻，说随着南京失陷后和平协议的签订，蒋介石将再度进入政府。目前日本人试图包围南京。现在看来，中国人只有扬子江一条路能通往汉口，但是在撤退时，这条路会遭到日本人的猛烈轰炸。 我听说，下关的人口已经开始疏散。成千上万的难民从四面八方涌进我们这个所谓的“安全区”，街道上比和平时期活跃了许多。看着那些一贫如洗的人们在街上漫无目标地流浪，真是催人泪下。那些还没有找到落脚处的人们，在寒冷的黑夜来临时，一家老小就躺在房子的角落里睡觉，还有些人甚至就躺在露天大马路上。我们紧张地为安全区的建设工作着，但遗憾的是总是有军方人员的干扰。他们还没有撤出安全区，而且看样子好像也不急于撤出。在周围城郊，人们烧毁了房子，然后把难民送到我们这里来。我想人们可能觉得我们愚蠢得要命，因为我们开展大规模的救助活动却什么也不图。有几个外国人认为，中国的所有抵抗都只是做做样子，他们只想打一场给别人看的战役，为的是不丢面子。但是我的看法不同，我担心的是，守城的唐将军可能会毫不留情地献出他手下的士兵和平民百姓的生命。在中国，几个人甚至几十万人的性命又算得了什么，中国每年都有大约100万人死于饥荒或洪水。 我现在要开一个换钱银行，零钱太紧张了。两位和我要好的中国政府官员答应向我提供帮助。 英国文化协会的建筑物已经对难民开放。从今天晚上起，我们今后的新闻发布会就在我们的总部宁海路5号举行。 我们大家都已经近乎绝望了，中国的司令部给我们造成了巨大的困难。中国士兵把我们刚竖起不久的界旗拿走了不少。安全区要缩小，人们需要空出来的地方构筑火炮阵地和防御工事。这样一来，我们原来的计划就会告吹。如果日本人听到了风声，就会毫不留情地对我们进行轰炸，那么安全区就变成了一个巨大的危险区。明天我们必须对安全区的边界再作一次检查。我们没有料到会出现这种背信的行为，因为中国人早在11月22日就已经正式承认了安全区，而且是在接受了安全区以后我们才将有关这方面的情况通知了日本人。 MS贝茨博士（金陵大学）致约翰·拉贝先生的情况通报 1937年12月8日 今天早上中国士兵出现在汉口路小学和旁边的房子里，以及金城女子工业专科学校。 在何应钦公馆后面的徐府巷2号也有一个武装的中国岗哨。 此外在陶谷新村也有许多中国士兵，这批士兵今天早晨运进来了较大数量的大米储备，没有迹象表明这些士兵将会很快离开安全区。特别值得一提的房子有3号、5号、8号和10号。 签名：MS贝茨 供中国报界专稿1937年12月8日晚 南京安全区国际委员会一周工作回顾： 8天前，也就是1937年12月1日，市长马先生来到南京安全区国际委员会，要求委员会承担管辖安全区的全部责任，现将他信中所要求的内容附录于后。他此外还请求委员会任命一名欧洲人为总于事，他的要求得到了满足。南京基督教青年会的乔治·菲奇先生担任这一职务。杭立武先生在和中国当局就安全区的谈判中给委员会提供了很大的帮助，菲奇先生任命杭先生为副总于事。在当天的成立大会上，菲奇先生任命： 韩湘琳先生为粮食委员会主任； 许传音为住房委员会主任； 沈玉书牧师为卫生委员会主任； 爱德华·施佩林为总稽查； 克里斯蒂安·克勒格尔为财务主管； 系主任汤忠谟先生为中方秘书处主任。 除了几名勤杂工和司机外，委员会及其全体成员，自愿并且无偿地从事自己的工作。 马市长请求卫戍司令唐生智将军调拨给委员会2.1万袋米和2万袋面，以缓解这里的困境；同时为了弥补支出，划拨10万元给委员会，到今天为止我们已经收到了其中的4万元。为了将储存在城外的米面运进来，粮食委员必须拥有一支机动的车队，但是在目前的情况下这一点很困难（注：城郊正在燃烧）。到昨天为止他一共筹集到了12辆车运进了6300袋米（相当于7875担）。面粉目前还运不进来，不过粥厂用的煤和500袋盐已经有了保障。遗憾的是，应急用的煤已经不可能再得到了。我们的粮食委员每天都运进了米面，这每一天都是一场胜利，这在今后的艰难岁月中将起到很大的作用。鉴于储备仍然不够，我们请求所有的囤积有粮食和燃料的商贩尽快将物资运到安全区来出售。此外还有必要再次指出的是，委员会希望商贩们以能够接受的价格出售商品。 住房委员会在上周详细了解了区内所有可供使用的房屋情况。如果区内的私房主以及私房的租户能像我们期待的那样慷慨和爱国，与朋友合住，或者将房子以和平时期的半价出租，那么我们估计，安全区内有足够的房子安置市内剩余的居民。 昨天的报纸已经公布，公共建筑物和学校留给最贫穷的人使用。调查表明，如果每人需要16平方英足的面积的话，这些建筑物可容纳3.5万名贫穷的难民。区内的几乎每一所学校都随即自愿慷慨地同意将建筑物用于此目的。在上一周这些学校已经为安置贫穷的难民作好了准备。 这些建筑物何时对穷人开放，将会尽快对外公布。目前这些房子的主人还未获准接纳任何人。 如昨天所通告，红卍字会和红十字会已经自告奋勇地在区内成立了粥厂并且已经开始了积极的筹备工作。此外红卍字会还将负责安葬那些不幸在区内死亡的穷人。大学医院（鼓楼医院）位于区内，负责承担病人的治疗和护理工作。目前该医院只拥有数量很少的医生，为此请求所有目前还在城里的医生，自愿为鼓楼医院提供服务。 沈牧师先生正着手在区内建立负责卫生设施的组织。由于缺乏工人，因此在这方面也有不少困难。 12月7日下午4时，施佩林先生开始竖立区界旗，并在12月8日上午结束了这项工作。 中国军队的军事设施正撤出安全区。宣布安全区为非军事区的通告近期将会正式发布。 以第一区警察局方局长和阎清鹏（音译）局长为首的警方，合作得非常出色。他们将看守安全区边界，并负责区内的治安。已经分配给安全区400名警察，他们将佩戴上有安全区标记的袖章。 由于在目前的紧急形势下没有其他出路，所以国际委员会只有非常不情愿地承担了由马市长转授的负责安全区行政管理工作的责任。一旦困难时期过去，委员会承担的责任也将随即停止，并将应南京市政府的请求将这种责任归还给市政府。 马市长请求委员会接管安全区行政管理的信函全文如下；……（中文信函现保存在南京国际委员会档案材料中） 空袭从一大清早就持续不断。中国的飞机已经不再来这里，但是高射炮还在射击。城南落下了大量的炸弹，可以看见那儿升起了巨大的烟柱，一场大火正在南面蔓延。我们仍然忙着将大米从城外运进来，遗憾的是我们的一辆卡车损坏了，我们的一个卡车搬运工失去了一只眼睛，被送进了医院。委员会将负责照料他。剩下的美国人以及罗森博士、沙尔芬贝格和许尔特尔（罗森的两个随从）也上了船。但他们又表示，如果“空气不紧张”，今天晚上还要上岸来参加新闻发布会。 另外一辆卡车的押车员从南门回来时惊恐万状，南城门遭到了轰炸。城门的守军开始不放他们出城，后来通过协商还是同意了。当这辆车从城外返回的时候，全体城门守军，共40人已全部被炸死。 下午2时，我和贝茨博士、施佩林、米尔斯、龙和参谋部的一位上校巡视了唐将军不满意的安全区沿线（西南界线）。从山丘的顶上我们可以看见被火光和烟雾笼罩的城郊，中国人为了将那里辟作战场把房子都烧了。我们发现，在安全区西南界内有一排高射炮阵地。就在我们巡视的时候，3架日本轰炸机掠过我们的上空，距我们约10米远的高射炮阵地进行了猛烈的射击。我们都卧倒在地上，扬起脸朝上观察着高射炮的炮火。可惜的是炮火总是打偏，或者应当这么说，幸运的是总是打偏了。我时时刻刻都在担心上面会有炸弹投下来，但是我们很走运，日本人越过扬子江朝浦口飞去了。 上校在安全区的界线的问题上不肯让步，于是我威胁说要甩手不干，并说我将致电元首，由于唐将军的失信，难民区无法继续存在。上校和龙先生忧心仲仲地回去了。这个时候我们拿定主意，走出重大的一着，当然对这一着棋我们自己也没有多大把握。我们想再面见唐将军一次，力争说服他放弃对内城的保卫。令我们感到十分意外的是，唐将军竟然表示同意，但条件是我们必须征得最高统帅蒋介石的同意。我和米尔斯牧师，还有贝茨博士在龙上校和一名士兵的陪同下来到了美国炮艇“帕奈”号上，通过美国大使馆的艾奇逊先生发出了下列电报： 致美国大使馆——汉口1937年12月9日 国际委员会从卫戍司令唐生智处得到许可传递以下电报中所涉及的内容。唐将军请我们通过您将一号电文传给最高统帅蒋介石。二号电文我们将通过艾奇逊先生传给东京和上海的日本当局。请将该建议内容通知其他大使馆。国际委员会希望这些建议也能得到这些大使馆的同意。 签名：约翰·拉贝 chairman （以下是电文） 一号电文 在国际委员会能成功地得到日本军事当局在可能的情况下放弃对城墙内南京城的进攻这一保证的前提下，已经在南京城设立了安全区的国际委员会将出于人道主义的考虑向中国当局建议，在城内不采取军事行动。为了达到这个目的，委员会建议南京附近的所有武装力量停火3天，在这3天内，日军在现有阵地按兵不动，中国军队则从城内撤出。考虑到大量受到危害的平民的困境，委员会请求立即对此建议表态。 签名：约翰·拉贝 chairman 二号电文 在国际委员会能成功地得到中国军事当局在可能的情况下不在城墙内南京城采取军事行动这一保证的前提下，已经在南京城设立了安全区的国际委员会将出于人道主义的考虑，向日本当局建议放弃对城内的进攻。为