Henry L. Stimson Private Papers
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
The French Ambassador handed me the following aide memoire of information received today:
“The French Ambassador in Moscow is of the opinion that the answer of the Soviet Government to the French requests may be explained by increasing difficulties of internal policy.
“The leaders of the Soviet Government having hopes in the development of the revolutionary movement, are preparing a big manifestation for August 1st under the pretext of defending working classes against a war by imperialistic powers. Consequently, these leaders could hardly admit that the Powers are guided by peaceful intentions.
“The Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs made a new declaration on July 23d, stating that the Chinese Government had not seized the railway, had no intention to do so, and that the rights of the Russians were still intact.
“The French Minister in China thinks that the Government of Nanking would probably accept the return to the Statu Quo prior to a general discussion of the question.”
He pointed out that the present attitude of China in probably accepting the return of the statu quo mentioned in the foregoing dispatch from their minister in China was undoubtedly due to the effect of my talk with Minister Wu. He added, “It is impossible for you to appreciate the extent of the influence which your country wields in these matters.”
[Page 242]He then spoke to me about the importance of taking up immediately the notes on extra-territoriality,20 saying that his government was anxious to have that taken up at once. I told him that I was planning to do so at once and read him the paragraph marked “four” of MacMurray’s dispatch 611 of July 22d. He said that MacMurray’s position was exactly the position of their minister and that he hoped that we would follow it.