Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1921, Volume I

500.A41a/92

Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs, Department of State (MacMurray)

[Washington,] August 13, 1921.

The Chinese Minister called this morning and read me a portion of a telegram (translation attached herewith) which he had received from his Government, inquiring as to the accuracy of certain information communicated by the Chinese Minister in Tokyo (Mr. Hoo) concerning the forthcoming Conference on Far Eastern questions. …

Mr. Sze asked me as to the truth of the statements contained in this telegram. I told him as to (a) that I knew of no discussion of the subject, although some views of the sort might very well have been mentioned in conversation quite as a matter of course. As to (b), I said that I knew of no basis for the statement other than the position which the Secretary had quite unreservedly and openly taken, that the Powers invited to the Conference are sovereign nations which cannot of course be coerced into any discussion or action against their will. With respect to the inquiry concerning matters in reference to China, I told him that absolutely no agenda or programme had yet been agreed on; and that, so far as concerns Shantung, no agreement had been reached as to discussing the question or leaving it out, although what I had said before as to the right of any sovereign nation to exercise its discretion about discussing any particular question would no doubt apply to this matter.

I suggested that he give me a copy or translation of the telegram, and he promised to send it in the afternoon, asking if I could in the meanwhile ascertain the Secretary’s views on the questions raised.

I therefore spoke to the Secretary about the matter; and he in general terms confirmed what I had told Mr. Sze, and directed me to say to the Minister that there was no occasion for him or his Government to be anxious—that nothing had yet been decided as to the agenda, and that the Chinese Minister would be kept advised as to the decisions which are made.

The Counselor (Mr. Yung Kwai,) called in the afternoon, to give me the attached translation from the telegram; and I confirmed what I had told Mr. Sze, and gave him the Secretary’s message, adding that I hoped he would impress his Government that nothing is going to be “put across” behind their backs.

MacM[urray]

[Annex]

The Chinese Foreign Office to the Chinese Minister at Washington (Sze)

According to a cable despatch from Minister Hoo it is said that Great Britain, the United States and Japan have come to an understanding at Washington upon the following:

(a) At the Pacific Conference no representative shall be allowed from a government not yet recognized.

(b) With regard to subject matter for discussion no question shall be decided unless by unanimous consent.

With reference to China—

1. The Open Door Policy.

2. Equal Opportunity for All.

3. The preservation of territorial integrity.

As for Shantung, the question is not on the agenda. In case this question is raised, any objection from one country will withdraw it from discussion.

Peking, August 12th, 1921.