861.77 Chinese Eastern/579: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 5—12:40 a.m.]
1083. My 1065, December 2, 4 p.m.62 The following telegram has been received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs:
“I have to acknowledge receipt of your telegram dated December 2, transmitting a statement from your Government and to state in reply as follows:
Throughout the whole present dispute with Soviet Russia the National Government has maintained a peaceful attitude and refrained from adopting any hostile military actions except for the purpose of self-protection, as may be attested by the established facts. Being a cosignatory of the Treaty for the Renunciation of War, the National Government circularized the other signatories of the aforesaid treaty on August 20, 1929, declaring that China would, apart from adopting measures for self-protection in defense of her territorial sovereignty against external invasions, faithfully abide by article 2 of the afore-named treaty providing for the solution of international disputes by pacific means and that she was ready any time within reasonable limits to negotiate with the Soviet Government for the settlement of the present dispute. Such declaration is in complete harmony with the intent of the note under reply. The National Government has always imposed implicit confidence in aforesaid treaty and desisted from acting in any way contrary to its spirit. It will continue to adhere to its reiterated policy.”
- Not printed.↩