793.94/14113: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 19—5:45 p.m.]
1786. For Ambassador Bullitt:44 Wellington Koo45 asked me this afternoon to transmit to you the following personal message from him.
“Japanese campaign against South China intended not only to cut communications Between Canton and Hong Kong but also to establish base for threatening Hong Kong, Singapore, Indo-China, Dutch Indies and Philippines. Unless effectively checked now Japan will take advantage of next crisis in Europe when British and French hands will again be tied to press forward, without fear of intervention, her policy of southward expansion always strongly advocated by Japanese Navy. German Chancellor’s Saarbrucken speech, Italian intransigence towards France, aggravation of Palestine revolt, and Japanese campaign against South China all evidence of conspiracy of Berlin–Rome–Tokyo Axis, further supported by Tokyo’s appointment Jap Military Attaché in Berlin as Ambassador to Germany46 for purpose of concluding Nippon-German military alliance.
I told Bonnet47 above Monday and suggested to him to consult Washington and London with view to making démarche in Tokyo—joint or parallel—in order to persuade her discontinue adventure and concert other measures for the purpose.
After 14 months of war Japan in no position to counter Anglo-French-American opposition evidenced by Japan’s retreat in regard dispute Paracels and Hainan with France and Changkufeng affair with Soviet Union in face of French and Soviet firmness.
[Page 327]I also asked him for assurance of complete transit facilities through Indo-China for Chinese war material so necessary to enable China continue her resistance and abstention from supplying Japan with arms and war material particularly airplanes, oil, and iron ore. I pointed out Washington’s advice to American manufacturers to stop furnishing airplanes48 to Japan has produced appreciable result. He assured me he would approach Washington at once as regards proposed démarche and consider other two suggestions.
Knowing the value of your personal influence and always grateful for your past collaboration, I venture to invoke your support of our appeal when you see President Roosevelt. With cordial regards.”
Koo told me that the Chinese Ambassador in London saw Halifax on Monday and suggested that the British consult Washington and Paris regarding a démarche in Tokyo. Halifax replied that he would take the matter under consideration.
Presumably the new Chinese Ambassador in Washington has already talked with the Department along similar lines.
I asked Koo if he really believed a démarche such as he suggests could be effective in persuading the Japanese Navy and Military to withdraw from this South China invasion in which their prestige is engaged. He admitted that it was a bit late but asserted his belief that an unmistakable indication by the three governments that they would stop furnishing Japan military supplies and raw materials needed for her armament industry, unless the South China adventure is abandoned, would be effective.