File No. 763.72/3301
The Minister in China ( Reinsch ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 12, 10.30 a.m.]
In view of the result reported in my February 9, 12 midnight, February 10, 1 p.m.,1 I shall take no action on Department’s February 10, 4 p.m., until further instructed. …
[Page 409]Although the assurances I have given apply only in the case of China’s complete identification with our action, I would most earnestly urge that the Chinese be not rebuffed in the action they have taken or be made to feel that by being alone in committing themselves to our leadership they have merely risked having their military resources placed under Japanese control instead of being assisted by the United States to fulfil the responsibilities undertaken at the President’s invitation.
It is here understood that leadership assumed by the United States entitles the American Government to a decisive voice as to the form to be given any military assistance that may be rendered China, that it could legitimately and with propriety take the initiative in planning the nature of such assistance, and certainly that a proposal for single control by any other nation could not be effectuated over the head of the American Government. Our national security demands that there should be no surrender of Chinese sovereign rights of military control through admissions which would lay a heavy burden on the American nation in the near future; it is recognized that by using the position secured through the action of China the American Government could effect an arrangement which would be just to the vital interests of China as well as of the other powers, or at least could prevent unilateral harmful action.
- Latter not printed.↩