793.94/2313
The Chinese Chargé (Yung Kwai) to the Secretary of State13
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am instructed by my Government to deliver to you the following note:
“The Chinese Government has received from the American Government the communication dated October 21st,14 in which the American Government calls the attention of the Chinese and Japanese Governments to the obligations arising from the Treaty for the Renunciation of War and expresses the hope that both China and Japan will refrain from any measures which might lead to war.
“The Chinese Government and people deeply appreciate the renewed expression, on the part of the Government and people of the United States, of the profound concern with which they have observed [Page 294] the development of events in China since the 18th of September. The Chinese Government is especially gratified to learn that the American Government has cooperated with the League of Nations in its efforts to secure a peaceful settlement.
“It has been in absolute reliance upon the principles of international law and international agreements, particularly those for the perpetuation of peace among nations, and for pledging respect for the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial and administrative integrity of states, that the Chinese Government has consistently refrained from employing force to meet the situation created by the occupation of Chinese territory by Japanese troops and other warlike actions of Japan, in the belief that such actions would not be permitted to go unchallenged by the powers which should feel deeply concerned in the matter. Especially faithful to the obligations assumed under the Treaty for the Renunciation of War, the Chinese Government has been seeking, from the very beginning, a just and adequate settlement by pacific means. China has not adopted any measures of war but has appealed to the United States of America as well as the League of Nations under the provisions of existing international agreements.
“It is the sincere desire of the Chinese Government to settle the present crisis by peaceful means under conditions which give a guarantee of fair and equitable treatment for all concerned and to cooperate to the fullest possible extent with the American Government, the sponsor of the Treaty for the Renunciation of War, in its efforts to uphold the sanctity of international engagements.”
Accept [etc.]
- The following memorandum by Mr. Hansford S. Miller
of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs, dated October 23, 1931, is
attached to the original: ↩
“In leaving this corrected copy of the Chinese Legation’s note of October 22, 1931, Mr. Yung Kwai stated that the clause ‘is especially gratified to learn that the American Government’ in the second paragraph, lines 6 to 8, had been omitted from the copy handed in yesterday,—or rather that this clause had been inserted by error somewhere in the following paragraph.
“Mr. Yung Kwai stated he did not consider this change material, except for record, inasmuch as the text as handed in yesterday has already been published.”
- See telegram No. 388, October 20, 2 p.m., to the Minister in China, p. 275.↩