500.A4d/121
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far
Eastern Affairs (Johnson)
[Washington,] February 9,
1926.
The Chinese Minister called, by appointment, upon the Secretary at twelve
o’clock on February 9, and read to him a telegram, copy of which is
attached to this memorandum, which he had received from the Chinese
Foreign Office to the effect that the Chinese Government will not insist
upon withdrawal by the United States of invitations sent to
non-signatory powers to adhere to the Nine-Power Treaty relating to
principles and policies concerning China. The Secretary informed the
Minister that this position seemed satisfactory. He told the Minister
that it only remained now for the Chinese Government to withdraw the
note which the Chinese Minister had addressed to the Department on this
subject and which remained unanswered and the one which the Chinese
Foreign Office had addressed to the American Minister in Peking. The
Minister stated that he had anticipated this situation and had already
drawn up a proposal which he purposed communicating to his own
Government, namely, that he should be authorized to withdraw the note
which he had addressed to the Department of State and also that the
understanding would be that the American Minister at Peking would return
to the Chinese Foreign Office the note which had been addressed to the
American Minister by the Foreign Office. The Chinese Minister stated
that he had taken the liberty of drafting a telegram to his Government
indicating that the Government of the United States expected this
arrangement and restating the views which he knew the Secretary to hold
on this subject, namely, that adherence by non-signatory Powers to the
Treaty in question could not be interpreted as in any way meaning an
infringement upon China’s sovereignty or administrative integrity. He
showed the text of his proposed telegram to the Secretary and the
Secretary informed the Minister that he saw no objection to this
statement of his views. The Chinese Minister asked the Secretary whether
he would give to him a memorandum along these lines and the Secretary
replied that he had no objection to doing that. He instructed Mr.
Johnson to revise the note which had already been drafted as it
contained these statements.
[Page 1016]
[Enclosure 1]
Telegram From the Chinese
Foreign Office to the Chinese Minister in
Washington (Sze)
Peking, February 8,
1926.
Please assure Secretary Kellogg China always most appreciative of
American friendship and entertains no doubt of American intention to
help us every way possible even if viewpoints happen to differ.
China is sincerely desirous of accommodating American view as far as
possible. She feels, however, that exclusion of any particular Power
from adhering to Nine Power Treaty on principles and policies can
not in any way prejudice rights and interests of any signatory power
as in Article three thereof. China has undertaken to be guided by
principles of open door or equality of opportunity in dealing with
all countries irrespective of whether they are parties to the treaty
or not from which policy she has no intention to deviate at all. On
the other hand and under new conventions based upon principles of
equality and reciprocity more recently concluded with some foreign
powers China’s sovereignty, independence and integrity have been
more fully and effectively vindicated than in Nine Power Treaty so
that adherence by any such power to the treaty which is admittedly a
very useful and effective instrument for protection and recovery of
sovereign rights of China would in particular cases bear [the
appearance of a?] retrogressive step for China. Moreover, it does
not enhance prestige of China to have Powers which have little
interests in China like Persia and Switzerland pledge their respect
for China’s sovereignty and independence. She sincerely believes
that her interpretation of article eight is more correct and more
consonant with the spirit of the said treaty. So if out of special
deference to American Government China does not insist upon
withdrawal of invitations already sent out she hopes America will
fully appreciate China’s position and find a satisfactory
solution.
[Enclosure 2]
Draft of Telegram Proposed by the Chinese
Minister (Sze) for the Government of
the United States To Send to the Government of
China
The American Government appreciates highly the friendly and
accommodating communication which has been received from the Chinese
Government with reference to the matter of the invitations which in
pursuance of Article 8 of the Treaty of the Nine-Powers relative to
the principles and policies to be followed in matters concerning
China signed in Washington February 6, 1922 the American Government
has sent to the various Governments requesting their
[Page 1017]
adherence thereto. Understanding
from this communication from the Chinese Government that that
Government, in view of the assurances which have been received from
the American Government, is prepared to acquiesce in the action
which the American Government has taken, the American Government has
the honor to say, by way of re-affirming the assurances previously
orally given to the Minister Plenipotentiary of China at Washington,
that, it is its view that, by adhering to the Treaty aforesaid, no
Power will gain any rights privileges or immunities derogatory to
the sovereign rights or dignity of the Chinese Republic, or obtain a
status which will in any wise indicate or imply that China has, as
vis-à-vis such adhering Power, a status other than that of a
co-equal Power. Upon the contrary, it is the opinion of the American
Government that, by the adhering of the other Powers to the Treaty
aforesaid, China obtains a broadened guarantee that her rights of
sovereignty and territorial integrity will be scrupulously
respected, and that advantage will not be taken of such domestic
conditions as may exist or occur in China to take action which will
be in derogation of the sovereignty and territorial rights of China
which, under International Law, are conceded to be possessed by her
as a sovereign and independent Power and a co-equal member of the
Family of Nations.
