Henry L. Stimson Private Papers
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
The French Ambassador handed me today the following report as to the Russian-Chinese issue which he said was the latest news he had on that subject:
“The refusal opposed to Japan by the Soviet Government to accept the Japanese’s good offices, is causing some deception in Tokio. It seems now that the conflict should be settled without the intervention of a third party.
“The Chinese Minister in Japan confirmed on July 27th to the French Chargé d’Affaires that direct and officious conversations between Russians and Chinese have already started. However, the Soviet Ambassador is less optimistic and says he does not know anything about the opening of negotiations. He continues to say that there will be no military action, adding however, that this will be on condition that the Chinese do not molest any more Soviet citizens. He insists not only upon the reestablishment of the status quo but upon the granting of guarantees for the future.
[Page 258]“The Press Bureau of the Foreign Office in Moscow states that the Soviets are in no communication with the Chinese in any capital, and sticks to the rupture until fulfilment of conditions of the Soviet note of July 13th.
“Washington, July 29th, 1929.”