793.94/14607
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton)
| Participants: | Dr. Chang-Lok Chen, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, |
| Mr. Tswen-ling Tsui, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy, | |
| Mr. Hamilton |
Dr. Chen called at his request. He was accompanied by Mr. Tsui. Dr. Chen said that the Chinese Embassy had received instructions from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs directing the Embassy to approach the Department in regard to the forthcoming meeting of the Council of the League of Nations on January 16, to state that the Sino-Japanese conflict would come up for consideration again at this meeting of the League Council, to point out that the Chinese Government realized that the United States was not a member of the League but that in the opinion of the Chinese Government the governments members of the League Council naturally looked to the United States for an indication of attitude in regard to a matter of this character, and to express the hope of the Chinese Government that this Government would by such means and in such way as might be practicable and appropriate take steps, either directly or indirectly, toward causing the governments represented on the [Page 519] League Council to take more definite action than had hitherto been taken in the way of assisting China and of checkmating Japan.
I referred to the fact that Mr. Tsui had been in to see me a number of months ago on this same subject.69 I said that as the Chinese Government realized the United States was not a member of the League. I said also that the attitude of this Government and the principles of policy in which this Government believes had been made clear to the American people and to the world in the published statements and addresses of the Secretary of State and of the President. I said that I would of course make record of Dr. Chen’s approach under instruction from his Government and refer the matter to higher officers of the Department.
Dr. Chen, in closing the interview, said that his Government wished to lay this matter before us and that he realized that decision as to whether any action by this Government along the line indicated was practicable and appropriate, and, if so, in what way this Government would bring its influence to bear, was a matter for decision by this Government.