Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1928, Volume II

893.113/1090: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State

Peking, March 29, 1928—8 p.m.
[Received 9:20 p.m.]⁶⁴

193. My telegram 151, March 9, 4 p.m.

1. Reuter despatch, published in local press March 28 under Moscow date line March 26, reads as follows:

“The Soviet Government, replying to the Japanese proposal that the Soviet should join in the decision of the powers with regard to banning the import of arms to China, says that the import of arms to China is a matter exclusively within the competence of the Government of China. The Soviet Government has always avoided concluding an agreement with any power at the expense of a third party without the latter’s participation. Hence it refuses to join the agreement, more especially as some powers enjoying rights in China can practically import arms to China undisturbed and they are to keep troops and a fleet there. The Soviet reiterates that it has no intention importing arms to China.”

2. Copy to Tokyo by mail.

Mayer

64. Text printed from corrected copy.