793.94/5743: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 13—1:19 a.m.]
45. Department’s 376, November 21, 8 p.m.70 Following telegram has been received from Peck: [Page 52]
“January 12, 10 a.m. Soong, Acting President of the Executive Yuan, yesterday asked me to convey to you his request that you inform the Department that the Chinese Government would find it extremely helpful during the present crisis arising from Japanese invasion at Shanhaikwan and subsequent events if the American Government would find it possible to issue a strong reaffirmation of its previous statements. He said that recent statements by Simon and others were evasive and indicative of growing timidity. Soong reasserted the unaltered determination of the Chinese Government to resist further Japanese encroachments whether in Jehol, North China or Central China using all the military resources at the disposal of China. The Chinese Government believes that isolated acts of aggression are possible anywhere because of the Japanese lack of control and the irresponsibility of Japanese officers. He observed that even at Nanking some naval officer might involve his Government in another incident.”
I have instructed Peck to inform Soong that while I shall communicate his message to Washington I do not expect compliance there in view of clarity with which present administration has set forth its views.
- Not printed.↩