700.0011 Pacific/13
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck)
The Chinese Ambassador, having requested an appointment, called on the Secretary of State this morning. Shortly after the interview began, the Secretary of State called in Mr. Hornbeck.
The Secretary said to Mr. Hornbeck that the Ambassador had raised the subject of a non-aggression pact in the Pacific.
The Ambassador said that China was greatly interested in the suggestion which has been made at London with regard to the possible concluding of a treaty with regard to matters in the Pacific. He said that China was favorable to the idea in principle. He said that it of course should be understood that the Chinese would not expect such a pact to involve any such thing as a recognition of “what is called ‘Manchukuo’.” He would like to know what was the attitude of the American Government. The Secretary replied that this Government has not as yet had any active part in any deliberations with regard to the suggested pact. We are of course interested in [Page 986] such a subject. The subject has been mentioned at London but we have not been approached with regard to it. The Secretary turned to Mr. Hornbeck and asked whether that was not substantially the whole of the situation. Mr. Hornbeck indicated assent and added that a British Foreign Office official had informed our Ambassador in London that the Empire Conference was giving the matter consideration and the Foreign Office would inform the Ambassador of developments if and as they eventuate. The Secretary said that he of course did not know how this matter would be handled, whether it would be managed by the Australian Government or by the British Government. The Ambassador said that China would like to keep in step with the American Government with regard to the matter. The Secretary said that he would be glad to discuss frankly and in the most friendly manner with the Chinese Government any questions which might come up.
The Ambassador then said that there was another matter with regard to which he would like to inquire, namely, a subject in regard to which it was well known that the American Government had for a, long time been interested, the possibility of an economic conference. The Secretary said that there was no reason why we should hesitate to disclose frankly to a friendly power our thought and attitude on that subject. He said that many nations are indulging in practices which tend to discourage international trade and keep it at a minimum. For eighteen years this course and the course of emphasizing national differences and building up armaments have been pursued by some nations. He said that you could not go out and, simply by putting the robes of the Church on a lot of people make of those people Christians; that you have to wait until they have developed a desire to be guided in their conduct by Christian principles. He said that we have been preaching certain doctrines which point the way toward economic salvation and we are watchful for evidences that our preaching has effect. He said that recently there were some signs of improvement.
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