793.94/2444: Telegram
The Consul General at Nanking (Peck) to the Secretary of State
Nanking, November 3, 1931—9
a.m.
[Received November 3—2 a.m.]
[Received November 3—2 a.m.]
93. The Chinese Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs called on me November 2, 5 p.m., and showed me a Reuter telegram dated Washington, October 31 (presumably supplied by the Associated Press) reporting remarks attributed to Under Secretary of State Castle. In view of the ambiguity of the message as received the Acting Minister asked that I ascertain by telegraph:
- 1.
- Whether Castle said that under treaties guaranteeing integrity of China the United States would feel compelled to disapprove permanent Japanese occupation of Manchuria; and
- 2.
- If so, what were the treaties in reference;
- 3.
- Whether the fact that the United States did not endorse the League resolution which demanded that Japan evacuate occupied areas in Manchuria by November 16th should be taken as implying that the United States did not approve of that stipulation. Doctor Lee observed that the United States had announced its approval of previous actions taken by the League [in] connection with the present controversy.
Repeated to the American Minister.
Peck