893.01 Manchuria/491
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck) of a Conversation With the Former Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs (Lee)
After discussion of other matters, Mr. Lee said that Dr. Kung had informed him of the substance of the conversation between Dr. Kung and Mr. Hornbeck of September 7. He said that the Chinese Government would be under additional pressure from opposition factions in China and from the public when Japan recognizes “Manchoukuo”. It would undoubtedly be necessary for the Chinese Government to do something. They had in mind both the possibility of asking for a conference under the Nine-Power Treaty and that of making on their own account a definite and vigorous protest against Japan’s action of recognition. He wanted to get the benefit of Mr. Hornbeck’s advice.
Mr. Hornbeck inquired by what process they would go about asking for a conference. Mr. Lee said that they would probably ask the [Page 233] American Government to call a conference under the Nine-Power Treaty and he would like to know whether such a request by the Chinese Government would be embarrassing to the American Government: the Chinese Government had tried and would continue to try not to take steps which would embarrass the American Government. Mr. Hornbeck said that, as he had said to Dr. Kung, he could not undertake to answer such inquiries authoritatively or to speak for the American Government, but that, viewing the question unofficially and attempting to view it objectively, it would seem that, if such a request came from the Chinese Government at this time, the American Government would have to defer any action with regard to it and, if it became known, as it doubtless would, that the Chinese Government had made such a request and that the American Government was taking no action in reply, that would have a bad effect. Mr. Hornbeck would therefore suggest that Mr. Lee, in any communication with the Chinese Legation or with the Chinese Government direct, should suggest, on his own responsibility and not as coming from this Department or any official thereof, that the present would not be an opportune time for the Chinese Government to make such a proposal and that the Chinese Government should have in mind the fact that the world is at present awaiting receipt of the report of the League Commission and that it is not likely that the American Government would give any serious thought to the suggestion that it call a conference until sometime after that report has been made public and probably not until after the election in November. Mr. Lee said that that all seemed very logical to him and that in any communications which he might make he would not bring the State Department into the question.
Mr. Lee then reverted to the subject of the necessity for the Chinese Government’s taking some action if and when Japanese recognition of “Manchoukuo” takes place. Mr. Hornbeck said that the problem which confronts other governments in that connection is that of relative advantage as between taking notice of or taking no notice of Japanese recognition, if and when; but that, of course, the Chinese Government had the domestic situation to consider. He said that there occurred to him a suggestion, which he would make, it being understood that he was speaking “not for attribution”. It occurred to him that the Chinese Government might well make this the occasion and take advantage of it as an opportunity to make a carefully wrought, noncontroversial and noncontrovertible statement in support and in defense of the thesis that Manchuria is an integral part of China. There followed some discussion of this point and Mr. Lee expressed thanks for the suggestion, said that he would consider it, [Page 234] and that in any communication which he might make he would not bring the Department into the matter.