800.503193/11
The Minister in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 2.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Legation’s despatch No. 2715, May 9, 1934,60 concerning Mr. Monnet’s scheme for inducing foreign financial investments in China, and to enclose for the Department’s information a copy of the Nanking Counselor of Legation’s despatch to the Legation No. 327–Diplomatic, May 21, 1934.61
Mr. Peck quotes an unnamed American newspaper representative as reporting that Mr. Suma, Secretary of the Japanese Legation, had expressed to him gratification at having learned that the Japanese Foreign Office had adopted some of his, Mr. Suma’s, views in regard to Mr. Monnet’s proposal. Mr. Suma is said to view Mr. Monnet’s proposal with disfavor because China should first provide settlement of its outstanding indebtedness (presumably Japanese); because it violates the understanding underlying the International Consortium of 1920; and because all money invested in China, even that for economic purposes, would actually be used to achieve political ends.
Respectfully yours,