793.94/6204: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
133. Your 357, April 22, 8 p.m. Department concurs in view expressed in paragraph 7, first sentence. Department feels that the powers should avoid becoming involved except in response to express initiative and evidence of full authority on the part of Chinese to make approaches; and that, on the part of the powers, effort, if made, to assist in endeavoring to arrange an armistice or promote conclusion of an agreement might well be made under League auspices; and that, in view of Great Britain’s membership in the League and extensive interests in North China, leadership in any action of the powers in capacity of a go-between should advisedly be left to the British. You should, with due caution, cooperate, but in a supporting capacity.
Department feels that all who may be concerned with or drawn into efforts toward consummation of an agreement between the Chinese and the Japanese should weigh carefully the ultimate implications of every provision which may be suggested for inclusion in such an agreement. The circumstances under which the Nine-Power Treaty was made, the objectives sought to be obtained in that Treaty and the other agreements related thereto, and the provisions of the whole group of Washington treaties should be kept constantly in mind. The objectives and efforts of the League and the United States in relation to developments since September 1931, the disclosures of the attitudes of various governments, the existing situation in China and in Japan, and the whole question of effecting the best possible adjustment as among conflicting principles and rights and interests should be given fullest possible consideration at each step.