711.00 Pres. Speech, October 5, 1937/33: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 8—11:06 a.m.]
781. Semi-official Central News Agency today reports Generalissimo as having stated in interview with Associated Press representative with reference to President’s speech:
“President Roosevelt’s speech has not only deeply touched the overridden Chinese but has also aroused those powers who advocate the construction of perpetual peace on the foundation of international ethics”. Generalissimo was further reported to have stated that if China cannot check Japanese efforts to monopolize China markets and proclaim itself absolute ruler of the Pacific area and other powers vitally interested likewise fail, Japan will close huge China market [Page 589] to the world and there will be no peace in the Pacific; that a ray of hope has dawned following receipt of news that the League and Department of State are taking steps to censure the aggressor;3 that Chinese will fight until all Japanese troops are expelled from China territory; and that if signatories to the treaties concerned continue to let justice and law be overrun by Japan keeping up her ruthless invasion of China it will be tantamount to supporting Japan’s plan of conquering China.
- See vol. iv, pp. 1 ff.↩