701.9311/513
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck) of a Conversation With the Former Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs (Lee)
Mr. Lee … will be at the Legation in an advisory capacity for some weeks to come . . . .
Mr. Lee said that he supposed we had information with regard to the resumption of diplomatic relations by China and Russia. He said that there had been a good deal of debate in Chinese official circles over the matter but that the conclusion reached was that China could not afford to continue with lack of friendly relations on the part of both of her neighbors and that the Chinese Government had been under the necessity of making some move by way of signifying progress and achievement in the field of foreign relations. This had been brought on partly by the fact that the League has not been able so far to achieve much on China’s behalf. He said that there had been a good deal of discussion, also, since this move was made, in political circles and the press in China with regard to its significance. It was no part of the intention of Chinese leaders to revert to the conditions of Russo-Chinese friendship as of the period 1924–1927. He would like to inquire what impression this step had made in this country, especially in official circles. Mr. Hornbeck replied that, as Mr. Lee would have observed from the press, it had been taken calmly and in most quarters had been regarded as a not unnatural development. Mr. Lee asked expressly whether we had had any feeling that it signified a move toward Communism on the part of China. Mr. Hornbeck replied that he had observed no indication of any apprehension that it implied a return to 1924 and that it must be kept in mind at all times that in our attitude and policy toward the Far East we are desirous that the countries of the Far East be on good terms with one another rather than on terms of hostility and opposition to each other. Mr. Lee then inquired whether he might ask an indiscreet question: he asked whether there was any likelihood that the United States would recognize Russia in the near future. Mr. Hornbeck replied that, while he could not undertake to speak with regard to possible future developments in the realm of major policy, he could say that personally he was not aware of any evidence indicating any contemplated alteration in the near future of our Russian policy.
Mr. Lee then inquired whether we had any new information with regard to Jehol. Mr. Hornbeck said that we had nothing very definite but had an account of a Reuter despatch and of a newspaper report of a statement made by a Japanese general, from both of which it might [Page 447] be inferred that there was no indication of immediate impending military movements in that direction. Mr. Lee said that Chang Hsueh-liang is apprehensive—especially with regard to the possibility that the Japanese may make a move against him personally. The Japanese feel that Chang is the mainspring of the guerrilla warfare which the “bandits” are waging against the Japanese in Manchuria and are very desirous of removing or destroying this mainspring. He said that the Japanese now have about 1,200 men in their Legation guard at Peiping. There is a certain undercurrent of suspicion and apprehension in Peiping, a fear lest advantage may be taken of some provocation, possibly a deliberately fomented provocation, for the purpose of a surprise attack on Chang’s headquarters. Mr. Hornbeck remarked that Chang ought to be able to take the necessary precautions to prevent anything of that sort happening. Mr. Lee said that he concurred and he believed that Chang was making every possible effort to keep things quiet and in order.
With the remark on Mr. Lee’s part that he hoped that within a few weeks the question of China’s future representation here would be satisfactorily worked out, the conversation terminated.