793.94/5863
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck) of a Conversation With the Chinese Appointed Minister (Sze)
Dr. Sze showed Mr. Hornbeck a telegram from Dr. Yen—39 a paraphrase of which is attached hereto.40
In this telegram, Dr. Yen suggests the need at the present stage of I some further public indication of the American Government’s attitude—for the purpose of giving fresh guidance to the League. Mr. Hornbeck said that he would bring this matter to the attention of the Secretary of State; but that, in order that the Chinese might not be unduly expectant of a favorable response, he felt moved to repeat what he had said on some previous occasions, namely, that the American Government has been refraining from action of this type for the reasons that (a) its position is well known, (b) it cannot with propriety undertake to “lead” the League in the conduct of its [Page 28] business, and (c) action of this type on the part of the American Government serves merely to irritate Japan against the United States without having the counterbalancing good effect of gaining a favorable response from the League. Dr. Sze said that he had appreciated the correctness of that estimate, but that he felt that it was the impression in some quarters that the United States had lost interest or was inclined to wash its hands of the situation, leaving the whole problem entirely to the League. He did not himself have that impression, but he had encountered its existence. He wondered whether, if the Secretary of State has had conversations with the Presidentelect, it might not be possible—perhaps in press conference—for the Secretary of State to make some reference to the Manchuria situation as being among the subjects discussed and take occasion to reaffirm that the position of this Administration remains as it has been. Mr. Hornbeck said that he would report all of this.