Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The Far East, Volume III

893.51/6948: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State

Paris, July 31, 1939—4 p.m.
[Received July 31—1:50 p.m.]

1414. I asked Leger this afternoon if the French Government now intended to go ahead with its projected loan to the Chinese Government. Leger replied that the papers with regard to this loan were up and awaiting signature but that the French Government would not sign the agreement unless the British Government should take parallel action and loan additional funds to China.

I pointed out that whereas the British Government and the Government of the United States had assisted the Chinese Government the French Government had as yet done nothing.

Leger replied that the present situation in the Far East was governed by new conditions. Both the French and British Governments had decided to withdraw from every position and possession that they held in the Far East if necessary to avoid war with Japan. In view of the situation in Europe they could not take any other attitude unless they could count on the active support of the United States in the Far East. Their attitude would depend on the degree of cooperation and collaboration that the British Government might be able to establish with the Government of the United States.

He added that while our denunciation of the trade treaty with Japan⁷³ had produced a most wholesome and admirable effect he regretted that this action had not occurred before the Arita-Craigie agreement⁷⁴ as the British might have taken a stronger position.

I then asked Leger if he had heard any rumors that the British might be inclined to close the Burma Road to shipments for China. Leger replied that he knew that the Japanese were asking this and he thought the British might be disposed to make this concession to the Japanese.⁷⁵

I then asked him if shipments through Indo-China were being continued as heretofore. He replied that they were being continued. I asked if they would be continued in the future even though Great Britain should forbid passage of supplies to the Chinese Government via the Burma Road. He answered that in that case the French Government would be obliged to follow the lead of the British Government and forbid shipments of military supplies by way of Indo-China.

Leger made it entirely clear that the French Government would follow the lead of the British Government in respect of policy in the Far East.

Bullitt

73. See note of July 26 to the Japanese Ambassador in Washington, p. 558.
74. See telegram No. 348, July 21, 6 p.m., from the Chargé in Japan, vol. iv, p. 224.
75. See Department’s telegram No. 591, August 5, 2 p.m., p. 704.