793.94/14406
President Roosevelt to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek14
My Dear General Chiang: I have received your cabled message of October 15 in which you bring to my attention the distressing circumstances and consequences of the conflict in China and make reference to certain discussions now proceeding in Washington.
For many years, I have, as you know, had a strong personal and official interest in China. My official interest dates from the time when I was Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and my personal interest, which far antedates my official interest, stems from both the early association of my forebears with the Far East and my long affection for the Chinese people. As President my interest has continued and during the past fifteen months the hardships and suffering of your countrymen have aroused my deep sympathy and their fortitude has inspired my admiration. The American people, I am sure, share my interest and my feelings of sympathy and admiration. These sentiments on our part have found expression in various types of effort toward alleviating the sufferings of the Chinese people, in support of principles which we believe should govern the efforts of every nation in its relations with all others, and in discouragement of practices not in harmony with those principles.
The friendly feeling of the Chinese people and the American people toward each other has been an important fact in international relations, and that friendly feeling prevails and is vigorous today.
[Page 377]With regard especially to the current conflict between China and Japan, the American Government has repeatedly voiced its objection to use of force in disregard of treaty rights and obligations and has contended that with peace there must be coupled law and justice. I am sure that you realize that, notwithstanding the strong sympathies of this country and our desire that peace with justice shall prevail in the Far East, action by the American Government must conform to methods which are consistent with this country’s laws, with the current opinion of our people, and with our estimate of what is practicable.
With the views and considerations which I have briefly outlined above in mind, I can assure you that with regard to the discussions in Washington to which you refer, the matters brought forward are receiving most careful and sympathetic consideration, and furthermore that an early attainment of a just peace in the Far East is and will continue to be my earnest hope.
With kind personal regards [etc.]
- Transmitted by the Department to the Chinese Embassy on November 18.↩