793.94 Commission/745: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 18—3 a.m.]
59. Reuter from Nanking, 17th, reports following statement by Doctor Lo Wen-kan, Chinese Foreign Minister:
“Should League of Nations attempt to impose on China what she cannot accept the Chinese delegates will certainly be instructed to remain firm and resolute. At the end of last year Chinese Government had occasion to express its dissatisfaction with draft resolution and expose the motives of the Committee of Nineteen and propose certain amendments. Since then the Japanese taking advantage of adjournment of the League have attacked Shanhaikwan and Chiu-menkou in preparation of their invasion of Jehol. Their warlike actions have simultaneously threatened the peace of the Peiping and Tientsin area.
In view of their aggressive line of action as pursued by Japan it would seem that the League should have admitted forthwith impossibility of conciliation and proceeded with adoption of some effective and decisive measures to check progress of Japanese violence. Unfortunately [Page 101] however League has not only failed to take this logical step but has actually revised and emasculated without consulting Chinese delegation at Geneva the draft resolutions of last December in order to satisfy the Japanese as if resolution once agreed to by Japan would be accepted by Chinese Government as a matter of course. This matter has already been taken up by Chinese delegates in letter addressed to Monsieur Hymans protesting against such procedure and reiterating Chinese stand that China will not accept any resolutions contrary to principles repeatedly declared by the Chinese Government. Chinese Government strongly believes that League will not act in such a way as to ignore its position as an instrument of world peace and abandon itself to wishes of the aggressor.”