Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/10456

The Department of State to the British Embassy⁹²

undated

The inquiries communicated in the memorandum which the British Chargé d’Affaires was so good as to leave with the Secretary of State on October first relate to a situation to which the American Government has been giving earnest consideration.

The people of the United States, as do the people of the United Kingdom, stand conspicuously in the forefront among the nations that desire peace, justice and order; and both countries deplore the conflict in the Far East and are desirous that it be brought to an end.

Naturally, in both countries thought runs toward the problem of methods of preserving peace.

The American Government feels that thus far since the present conflict unfortunately began, there have been made available clear indications of the attitude and policy both of the United Kingdom and of the United States. In a number of important respects the general policy of the Government of the United States is reflected in the enactment of the neutrality legislation⁹³ with which the British Government is familiar and which indicates that this country intends not to be drawn into any armed conflict. The American Government has constantly in mind and is guided by this expression of the desire and determination of the American people. The American Government, through the Secretary of State, on July 16 stated the principles which in its opinion should prevail in international relations, and on August 23 stated that those principles applied in its opinion in regard to the Far East as well as to all other regions of the world and made express reference to the Nine Power Treaty and the Kellogg-Briand Pact.⁹⁴ The American Government has forbidden the carrying by government-owned ships of arms, ammunition and implements of war to the countries parties to the conflict and has discouraged such carrying by any other vessels under the American flag. The American Government has in communications with the Japanese and the Chinese Governments strongly urged respect for law, for treaty pledges and for principles of humanity; and it has declined to give assent to any action by either of the parties to the conflict in impairment or in violation of law or of treaties. The substance, the general direction, and the possibilities of the American Government’s policy are clearly discernible by reference to this record.

If, with the foregoing summary of the controlling factors of American policy in mind, the British Government sees some plan whereby the Government of the United States might cooperate by pacific methods with the British and other Governments toward bringing to an end the present hostilities in the Far East, the American Government would be glad to give it careful consideration and to consult fully.

92. Handed to the British Chargé on October 5 by the Assistant Secretary of State.
93. Approved August 31, 1935; 49 Stat. 1081. For amendments February 29, 1936, and May 1, 1937, see 49 Stat. 1152 and 50 Stat. 121.
94. Signed at Paris, August 27, 1928, Foreign Relations, 1928, vol. i, p. 153.