793.94 Commission/753: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 20—9:35 a.m.]
70. Following from Nanking.
“January 20, 10 a.m. My January 19, 5 p.m. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has now explained to me that the feeling of popular resentment against the League because of protracted failure to give justice to China is mounting so high that the Government may be forced to withdraw from an organization whose performance shows it to be either powerless to enforce or else indifferent to its professed aims. He said innumerable appeals from all over China evidence disillusionment with respect to the high ideals professed by the powers during the European war and that driven to desperation China may proceed to any extremity. He authorized me to pass this on to Ingram but did not want his own name quoted lest Ingram suspect him of ‘bluffing’ and threatening as a mere tactical measure. If the Minister for Foreign Affairs correctly describes Chinese popular feeling apparently what rankles deeply is the solicitude of the principal League powers for the sensibilities of Japan in contrast with their seeming indifference not only to the self-respect of China but even to her admittedly just claims.”