893.24/493: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16—7 p.m.]
1937. The Chinese Ambassador98 told me yesterday that his Government would be greatly concerned over the closing of the French Railway in Indo-China to the passage of war supplies. With the cutting of the Canton–Hankow Railway the French Railway becomes of vital necessity to the Chinese Government. He said that he had spoken with Bonnet99 at various times recently requesting that some way be found to permit in secret the passage of supplies, that Bonnet had promised to take it up with Daladier1 but that on the tenth of this month Bonnet had informed him that it would be impossible for the French to permit any war material, even that ordered before the outbreak of hostilities, to pass over the railway.
Wellington Koo said that the French Government was frightened that the Japanese would make reprisals if the French relaxed control over the railway. He had asserted to Bonnet that the Japanese were in no position to risk an attack on French possessions in the Far East. Bonnet, however, insisted that France could not act alone and that only if France were guaranteed the support of the United States and Great Britain could she risk offending the Japanese.
The Chinese Ambassador said that he had suggested to Bonnet that this matter might be discussed during the Chamberlain–Halifax2 visit next week. Bonnet promised to take it under consideration.
[Page 610]Wellington Koo said that he had the definite impression that Bonnet was so concerned with the European situation and with domestic affairs in France that he paid but slight attention to Far Eastern questions and left them to others in the Foreign Office.