893.01 Manchuria/21
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the Chinese Legation89
Statement of the Chinese Government Concerning the So-Called Independence Movement in Manchuria
The Three Eastern Provinces, also known as Manchuria, are always an integral part of China and any usurpation or interference with the [Page 423] administration therein constitutes a direct impairment of China’s territorial and administrative integrity. Article 1 of the Organic Law of the National Government of October 4, 1928, which was proclaimed in Manchuria as well as the other provinces of the Republic provides that the National Government will exercise all the governing powers of the Chinese Republic. The Provisional Constitution of June 1, 1931, expressly provides that the territory of the Chinese Republic consists of the various Provinces, Mongolia, and Tibet, and that the Chinese Republic will be a unified Republic forever.
The territorial, political and administrative integrity of the Chinese Republic, besides being an attribute of a sovereign state according to the international law is guaranteed by Article 10 of the League Covenant and Article 1 of the Nine Power Treaty. Such guarantee has been implemented by Japan when she adhered to the League Council Resolution of the 30th of last September—90
“The Council
[“] 2. Recognises the importance of the Japanese Government’s statement that it has no territorial designs in Manchuria;
“5. Being convinced that both Governments are anxious to avoid taking any action which might disturb the peace and good understanding between the two nations, notes that the Chinese and Japanese representatives have given assurances that their respective Governments will take all necessary steps to prevent any extension of the scope of the incident or any aggravation of the situation.”
In the Resolution of the 24th of last October91 the Council emphasized the importance of these assurances saying that it—
“(3) Recalls the Japanese statement that Japan has no territorial designs in Manchuria, and notes that this statement is in accordance with the terms of the Covenant of the League of Nations, and of the Nine Power Treaty, the signatories of which are pledged ‘to respect the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial and administrative integrity of China.’”
The Council further notes in the Resolution of the 10th of last December—92
“(2) Considering that events have assumed an even more serious aspect since the Council meeting of October 24th; [”]
(The Council) “Notes that the two parties undertake to adopt all measures necessary to avoid any further aggravation of the situation and to refrain from any initiative which may lead to further fighting and loss of life.”
This Resolution was also accepted by Japan. The Chinese Delegate who endorsed it declared:
“China would regard any attempt by Japan to bring about complications of a political character affecting China’s territorial or administrative integrity (such as promoting so-called independence movements, or utilising disorderly elements for such purposes) as an obvious violation of the undertaking to avoid any further aggravation of the situation.”
Now in defiance of all law and solemn obligations the Japanese authorities who are in unlawful occupation of the Three Eastern Provinces are endeavoring to set up in these Provinces a so-called independent government and are trying to compel the Chinese citizens to participate in the puppet organization. The National Government has repeatedly and emphatically protested against the illegal actions of the Japanese Government and hereby again declares that it will not recognize the secession or independence of the Three Eastern Provinces or any part thereof or any administration which may be organized therein without its authority and consent.
- Copy of telegram transmitted to the Secretary of State by the Chinese Chargé under covering note dated February 23, 1932.↩
- Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 13.↩
- Ibid., p. 29.↩
- Ibid., p. 59.↩