793.94/8920
The Department of State to the British Embassy58
The Government of the United States shares the grave preoccupation of the British Government as a result of the developments in the Far East. It fully concurs in the feeling expressed by the British Government that every practicable effort should be made to avert hostilities which undoubtedly might have far-reaching consequences. It desires to cooperate with the British Government in urging upon both parties that hostilities are not warranted and should be avoided. It further believes that cooperation between the two Governments in urging a [Page 236] peaceful solution of the controversy which has arisen is eminently desirable.
In the light of all the information which has come to us—and we assume that the British Government has received much the same information—we feel that the courses of action thus far pursued by our two Governments on parallel lines have been truly cooperative and that, in continuation of a common effort to avert hostilities, both Governments should again, each in its own way, urge upon the Japanese and the Chinese Governments the importance of maintaining peace.
It is the understanding of this Government that the Chinese Government has already suggested to the Japanese Government, and that the British Government has already called to the attention of the Japanese Government the Chinese Government’s suggestion, that troop movements be suspended. This Government also understands that the Japanese Government has indicated that it is not receptively disposed toward any such suggestions.
The Secretary of State has this morning once more expressed to the Japanese and to the Chinese Ambassadors in Washington the solicitude of this Government that their countries respectively exercise effective self-restraint, has emphasized the view of this Government that hostilities between their countries would be a calamity both to them and to the world, and has again invited any suggestions that either of their Governments may feel inclined to make for assistance which this Government might appropriately render toward a solution of the issues over which they are contending. The American Ambassadors to Japan and to China are being informed by telegram of the representations made by the Secretary of State and have been instructed to carefully inform the Governments to which they are accredited of these representations. Might not the British Government feel that similar action by it at this moment would be helpful?59