500.A15/905: Telegram

The Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State

22. Chinese delegate added an amendment to be discussed under land effectives which will probably arise shortly on agenda, providing for the abolition of conscription in favor of voluntary armies. Chinese delegate has called twice to see me and states that he has not sought the assistance of any other nation but in view of ancient friendship of America for China he begs us to speak in a favorable manner of his project.

He declares that for the National Government their submission of this project is a test case. That they are under great pressure from the radical and Chauvinist elements to adopt conscription in China especially as they are threatened by military neighbors. That the modern [moderate?] element has been able, in view of this compromise, to hold them off hoping to be able to show that the countries desire real reduction.

I have explained that in my declaration on Monday I intimated that we were compelled to make compromise on the land questions and that I feared his project would be defeated by a large majority and therefore was reluctant to aid him actively, thus prolonging the debate and risking rendering impossible the acceptance of a unified text.

Since the thesis is congenial to us and since it is possible the Department may care to see us take a friendly attitude toward China it has occurred to me that I might declare that the Chinese proposal [Page 98] was in harmony with our practice and aspirations; that I should be happy if the nations assembled could see their way to acceptance but that in the spirit of compromise which I had already spoken of I was unwilling to insist upon its acceptance and therefore if the matter came to a vote I would abstain from voting.

I would appreciate urgent advice as to Department’s views.

Gibson