Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1934, The Far East, Volume III

893.01 Manchuria/1113

The Consul General at Mukden (Myers) to the Minister in China (Johnson)⁹

No. 925

Mukden, May 10, 1934.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of Bulletin No. 17, dated May 3, 1934,¹⁰ issued by the Bureau of Information and Publicity, Department of Foreign Affairs, Hsinking, embodying the communications which were exchanged between Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hsieh Chieh-shih, and the Right Reverend Bishop A. Gaspais, Acting Apostolic Delegate to “Manchukuo”.

The press reported that in connection with the official announcement of the appointment of Bishop Gaspais as the temporary representative of the Catholic Church in “Manchukuo”, which was issued by the Catholic mission at Hsinking on April 20, the following statement was made:

“It is a well-known fact that the Catholic Church, regardless of the country in which it preaches the Gospel, does not neglect the interests and welfare of the people of that country. The Holy See remains always faithful to this tradition, by choosing representatives in order to negotiate with the constituted authorities in regard to all problems which concern the Catholic Church.”

It may be added that the Japanese press did not fail to remark that the Bishop’s appointment was regarded as de facto recognition of the new state by the Holy See.¹¹

Respectfully yours,

M. S. Myers

9. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Consul General at Mukden in his unnumbered despatch of May 10; received June 9.
10. Not printed.
11. A news despatch dated April 19 from Rome stated that this appointment was not meant to imply in any way a recognition of “Manchukuo” (893.00 P.R./81).