793.94/3241: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Nanking (Peck)
140. For Minister Johnson: Your December 19, 5 p.m., from Nanking.
No formal communications with regard to Manchuria have been made by this Government since the adoption by the League of Nations Council of the December 10 resolution. However, Ambassador Forbes, on December 13, spoke, under instructions, with the Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs at Tokyo on the subject of Chinchow. My 135, December 12, 3 p.m., to the Consulate at Nanking and the Tokyo Embassy’s telegrams have indicated the nature of the instructions to Forbes.
You may inform Dr. Wellington Koo that the press report which you mention is in error, though the Department previously has affirmed repeatedly its solicitude respecting obligations under the treaties. The Department suggests your saying to Koo, as on your own initiative, that this Government’s attitude regarding the whole question in its present stage is expressed in the press statement by the Secretary on December 10. This was telegraphed to Peiping in my 455, December 11, 11 a.m.,94 to be repeated to you. I call your attention especially to its final paragraph. You might read the statement, particularly the last paragraph, to Koo.