Office of the Historian

793.94/9634: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, August 23, 1937—11 p.m.
[Received August 23—8:45 p.m.]

504. Buck56 requested that following message dated August 23 be transmitted to Secretary Morgenthau:57

“Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek granted an interview today and asked me to send you and the President a message to the following effect:

‘I am truly disappointed that the United States did not cooperate with England in an attempt to avert the present crisis which could have been averted by joint representation to Japan and China. China and the world will long remember Simon’s58 failure to cooperate with the United States in 1931 regarding Manchuria and now Britain will long remember the failure of the United States to cooperate. United States should not lose her prestige in the world as an upholder of international justice and if she will continue her Stimson policy the present conflict can be prevented also from extending to other countries including the United [Page 461] States. I do not want United States to be dragged into the war, but I do look to her to maintain her position in the Pacific and to maintain peace there. It is not too late for action and I trust United States to work out a just settlement for permanent peace.

China will protect her new currency and without difficulty. To date she has spent less than 10 million yuan in the war. There will be no serious problem of financing the war.’

The Generalissimo looks well and is in good spirits, and to answer your question of 2 years ago more fully, he does have a very sympathetic feeling toward America. He suggests it will be necessary for their information and guidance return and explain every consideration told you in detail.

A representative of the Chinese Government is proceeding to the United States on receipt of this important mission by Clipper Thursday. He has given me considerable inside information on situation here and I have given him a letter of introduction to you as he will pass on many things which seem inexpedient to send by message.”

Johnson
  1. Professor J. Lossing Buck, University of Nanking.↩
  2. Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury.↩
  3. Sir John Simon, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1931–35.↩