793.94/7410: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Embassy in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:40 p.m.]
91. 1. The semi-official Central News Agency this morning released in English a summary of an address on China’s foreign relations made yesterday by Chiang Kai-shek before the Fifth Kuomintang Congress, the translation having been prepared by Madame Chiang. While cloaked in the ambiguities characteristic of Chinese political pronouncements, the address is of particular interest because of the revelation it makes concerning Chiang’s official attitude toward the North China crisis and Sino-Japanese relations in general and it is therefore reproduced below with little contraction in its essentials.
2. He said that the people should not place undue emphasis upon either external or internal affairs to the neglect of the other; that in formulating foreign policy the “permanent interests” of the nations should be considered and responsible statesmen should not be unduly influenced by “personal sentiment and temporary circumstances.” He said that “the rise or decline of China as a sovereign power will have an important bearing on world peace” and “particularly our neighbor, Japan, should be deeply concerned with the peace of the Orient and the common good of both China and Japan. What we seek is simply self-preservation and coexistence with other members of the family of nations.”
3. He went on to say:
“If international developments do not block national regeneration, we should practice forbearance in facing issues not of a fundamental nature. We should seek harmonious relations among nations, provided there is no violation of our sovereignty. We should seek economic cooperation based upon equality and reciprocity. Otherwise, we should abide by the decision of the party and the nation. We shall not forsake peace until there is no hope for peace. We shall not talk lightly of sacrifice until we are driven to the last extremity which makes sacrifice inevitable. If, acting within the limit to conditions for peace, and with a determination to sacrifice, we make our supreme efforts for the consolidation of the nation and the regeneration of the people, then the aim of our party to save the country will be attained.[”]
4. By mail to Shanghai for the Ambassador, Peiping, and Tokyo.