The Chinese Minister presents his compliments to the Secretary of State
and has the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a telegram which has
just been received, for his information and consideration.
[Enclosure]
The Chinese Legation
to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire12
In spite of the provisions contained in paragraph II of the
resolution unanimously adopted by the Council of the League on
December 10, 1931, with reference to Manchurian affairs requiring
that the two parties undertake to adopt all measures necessary to
avoid any further aggravation of the situation and refrain from any
initiative which may lead to further fighting and loss of life, the
Japanese Army on the pretext of suppressing bandits has now advanced
westward of the Liao River and on December 24th occupied
Tienchuangtai. Again on December 28th and 29th they seized
successively the Tawa Station and Walled City of Panshan. The
Japanese troops have repeatedly attacked and pressed upon the
Chinese Army with an evident intention of capturing Chinchow.
Such actions on the part of Japan have not only encroached upon
China’s territorial sovereignty, thus violating the principles of
international law, the League Covenant, the Nine Power Treaty and
the Kellogg Pact, but have utterly scorned the recent resolution of
the League Council.
The declaration of the Japanese Foreign Office on December 27th13
explaining that the movement of Japanese troops toward west of the
Liao River was for protecting themselves against local bandits
encouraged by the Chinese Army at Chinchow is entirely contrary to
fact.
The Chinese Government has received a report to the effect that Japan
again despatched on December 27th a mixed brigade from Korea to
Manchuria. The enlargement of the Japanese forces in Manchuria and
similar actions have aggravated the situation and would lead to
further fighting and loss of life. Japan should be held responsible
for whatever consequences that may unfortunately happen as a result
of China’s necessary measures for self-defense.
Aside from a protest duly lodged with the Japanese Government the
Chinese Government wishes to call the attention of the United States
Government to the above-mentioned facts and hopes that the United
States Government will immediately take effective measures to
prevent the aggravation of the present serious situation.
Washington, December 31,
1931.
