793.94/13934: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 22—8:40 a.m.]
459. Minister of Foreign Affairs64 invited me to see him this morning to tell me that in view of probability that Japan would refuse invitation which League is extending under article No. 17 of the Covenant, China would request the League to apply article 16 which calls for sanctions. He said he was anxious to know attitude of United States. Said China was looking to the United States to take a leading and important part befitting its known stand in any ultimate settlement of Far Eastern situation and expressed belief that application by the League of sanctions against Japan under article 16 would offer an opportunity to the United States to back up action of the League by such parallel action as might be possible for us. I attempted to explain legal difficulties involved but said that I would communicate his message to you.
- Wang Chung-hui.↩