Office of the Historian

793.94/7138: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Second Secretary of Legation in China (Atcheson), at Nanking

Washington, July 5, 1935—6 p.m.

56. Your 189, July 1, 11 a.m.

1.
After your telegram arrived, the Department mentioned to the Chinese Minister informally the story of statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs alleging a “cold attitude” on the part of this Government toward difficulties recently experienced by China, and the Chinese Minister said that he had had similar information.
2.
The Department told the Chinese Minister that the American Government’s attitude and position with regard to treaty rights and obligations was in no way altered; that the Department during these difficulties had been in communication with the British and other interested Governments; that while the American Government had been actuated by the belief that no useful purpose would be served by making charges either directly or through the press, it had taken steps which had seemed to it appropriate and feasible; that the situation has called far tactful handling and the American Government has refrained from public statements; that the Department has reasoned that the situation would only have been made more acute had the American Government appeared to intrude into the controversy; that the American Government has received certain assurances of which it has made careful note; that the American Government intends to attempt to exert its influence quietly and unobtrusively, to avoid giving any countenance to measures or situations contravening any legitimate [Page 296] interests or treaty rights, and to continue to keep in contact with the interested powers; that the courses followed by the American and the British Governments have apparently been on parallel lines; and that in the light of the foregoing the Department finds without warrant in fact any allegation that it had shown a “cold attitude.”
3.
While this digest of statements made informally to Sze is transmitted primarily for the information and guidance of the American Minister and yourself, you may in your discretion, if occasion arises without being made, use its substance orally in conversation with the Political Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs.
4.
Repeat to Peiping, as Dept’s 199.26
Hull
  1. The Department in its telegram No. 63, July 16, 6 p.m., instructed that the above (in paraphrase) be communicated to the Embassy in Japan.↩