793.94/8874
The Chinese Embassy to the Department of State28
Memorandum
Since the outbreak of the Lukouchiao Incident in the night of July 7th, when the Japanese troops in the course of their maneuvers (which were not permissible even under the terms of the Protocol of 1901), suddenly opened an attack on the city of Wanping and met with resistance from the local garrison, the Chinese authorities, anxious to reach a peaceful settlement, have used their best efforts to arrange for the cessation of hostilities by mutual withdrawal of troops. But, almost immediately after each successive arrangement was made, it was nullified by the resumption of attack by Japanese forces. In the meantime, fighting has been extended to the immediate environs of Peiping, while a large number of Japanese reinforcements are being rapidly sent into Hopei province from Manchuria, Korea and Japan. It is estimated that over 100 aeroplanes and 200,000 troops have already been concentrated in the Peiping and Tientsin area ready to precipitate a major clash at any moment.
It needs scarcely to be pointed out that the sudden attack on Lukouchiao and the invasion of North China by large Japanese military forces constitute a clear violation of China’s sovereignty, contrary to the letter and spirit of the Nine Power Treaty, the Peace Pact of Paris, and the Covenant of the League of Nations. The crisis thus precipitated by Japan’s aggressive action in China, if permitted to take its own course, will not only immediately disturb the peace in East Asia, but also may entail unforeseen consequences to the rest of the world. While China is obliged to employ all the means at her disposal to defend her territory, and national honor and existence, she [Page 191] nevertheless holds herself in readiness to settle her differences with Japan by any of the pacific means known in international law and treaties.
[For papers concerning the statement on fundamental principles of international policy by the Secretary of State, July 16, see volume I, pages 697 ff.]
- Handed to the Secretary of State on July 16 by the Chinese Ambassador.↩