793.94/10215: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
2. Your 6, September 23, 10 a.m., reporting suggestion that a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee be set up. Provided that it is thoroughly understood that your presence on such a subcommittee would be within the terms and conditions under which you are attending the meetings of the Advisory Committee you are authorized to accept an invitation, if extended, to sit with the suggested subcommittee.
In the light of all your telegrams and some press reports on the subject from Geneva we gain the impression that some of the principal governments concerned in the setting up of the subcommittee may [Page 33] have in mind putting on the subcommittee representatives of nations “most concerned” with the Pacific area and, although not strictly limited to those nations signatory to the Washington treaties, such as the Nine Power Pact, that it might be largely made up of representatives of governments party to that Pact. There is a question in our minds here whether the confining of consideration of the present situation in the Far East in the first instance to a group limited in such a manner would not in itself take away from the universal character and broad effect of the attention which should be given to the developments now occurring there which, it is perfectly obvious, are of concern not only to those nations having an interest in the Pacific area but to all nations of the world. I revert to my statement of July 16,53 which you have already brought to the attention of the League. That statement gives the position of this Government with respect to international problems and situations of concern to this country and, I feel justified in saying, is in accord with the position of most of the governments of the world as expressed in communications from many of those governments which I have received in response to the issuance of that statement. On August 23 I made a public statement54 which was carried in radio bulletin no. 196 of that date. Therein I stated that this Government is firmly of the opinion that the principles summarized in the statement of July 16 should effectively govern international relationships. I also stated that we consider applicable throughout the world, in the Pacific area as elsewhere, the principles set forth in the statement of July 16; that that statement of principles is comprehensive and basic, and that it embraces the principles embodied in many treaties, including the Washington treaties and the Kellogg-Briand Pact.
This Government has taken an emphatic position with regard to the indiscriminate aerial bombing of Nanking and other unprotected and non-military places in China. Furthermore, we have offered to be of assistance in an effort to find some means of bringing the present hostilities to an end and of finding some peaceful method of composing the situation in the Far East.
I feel that there are certain principles upon which nations could take a position and upon which they could express themselves with regard to any particular situation or development which may arise, such as the developments now taking place in the Far East. Among those principles might be mentioned abstinence by all nations from the use of force in the pursuit of policy and from interference in the internal affairs of other nations; adjustment of problems in international relations by process of peaceful negotiation and agreement; [Page 34] upholding of the principle of the sanctity of treaties; respect by all nations for the rights of others; and performance by all nations of established obligations. These are broad basic principles upon which international relationships should be governed if peace is to be maintained.
The developments occurring at present in China are and must be the concern of every nation in the world which hopes to base its relationships with other nations upon the principles set forth in my statement of July 16. I can see no reason why any and all nations could not take a position with regard to this conflict from the point of view of their own interest in the preservation of peace and the settlement of disputes by peaceful methods.
The foregoing is for your information and guidance. We do not wish to suggest or give the impression that this Government is attempting to take any initiative with regard to the shaping of the action which may be taken by the League. You may, in your talks with any of the representatives of governments in Geneva with whom you may consider it useful to discuss the matter, refer to the principles set forth in my statements of July 16 and August 23 and take the position that these developments are of a nature which would seem to be of concern to all nations rather than to those comprising any particular or special group. You should discreetly foster the idea that this whole question should be dealt with on the broadest possible basis and from the point of view of general world concern and general interest.
Please keep Department fully and currently informed of developments, including conversations.