793.94/2444: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Nanking (Peck)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, November 3, 1931—6
p.m.
106. Reference questions 1 and 2 in your 93, November 3, 9 a.m.
- (1)
- The wording of the question which was asked in the press conference ran: “Has the United States ever taken a position as to Manchuria which would preclude its approval of permanent Japanese occupation outside the Railway Zone?” Under Secretary Castle gave this reply after some discussion of the meaning of the question: “I should say yes because of various treaties we have signed to maintain the integrity of China”. Reference was made thereafter expressly to the Washington Nine-Power Treaty.
- As to question 3 in your 93, no inference should be drawn.
- (2)
- In replying to the Chinese Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs you may do so in the form of expressing informally and unofficially your own opinion but not as a reply by the Department to Dr. Lee’s questions. You should informally explain the nature of the Department’s press conferences. It is not the Department’s wish to have a position or an attitude created for or ascribed to it as a result of a question-and-answer process suggested by and relating to reports in a newspaper. The views of the Department will be disclosed when in its opinion the development of the situation so requires. You have been informed concerning the Department’s principal objective. Toward attaining this objective, the Department finds it essential to pursue an impartial course and to avoid even appearing to favor either disputant or to pass judgment on points in advance of the necessity or opportunity for action as regards them.
Stimson