793.94/14047½
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)
The ribbon copy of the paper hereunder attached43 was handed this morning by Mr. Hornbeck to the Appointed Chinese Ambassador. [Page 326] Mr. Hornbeck stated to the Ambassador that the President wished it to be understood by General Chiang that he, the President, was giving close and sympathetic attention to the situation and the problem which were the subject of General Chiang’s communication and that he was observing every development with a desire so to act as to contribute, while safeguarding the interests of the United States, toward an alleviation of the distress, destruction and suffering, which are inherent in and produced by the Chinese-Japanese hostilities. The Ambassador said that he well understood that the President could not make any commitment at this time; and, in the brief conversation which ensued, the Ambassador made it clear that he entertained no thought that a mediation undertaken at this time could be conducive to any settlement other than one in which China would come off badly.
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