Office of the Historian

893.01 Manchuria/1076: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)

Washington, April 20, 1934—noon.

120. Your 180, April 18, 7 p.m.

1. The Department feels that it would be neither appropriate nor expedient for the American Government to undertake to give the Chinese Government advice with regard to this matter.

Without implying any disapproval by Department of the expression made by Peck, as reported, of his personal opinion, Department desires that Peck at an early moment say to Wang Ching-wei, orally and informally, as from you, that it is your understanding that the Department’s view is as stated above; also, that, in so doing, Peck reiterate to Wang that the view which he expressed with regard to compromise was strictly an expression of personal opinion. Further, Peck may point out, as for information, that, while it is true that in the press there have appeared reports suggesting that various powers may be contemplating modifying their position with regard to Manchukuo, these reports appear to have little if any basis in fact; that, whether they are or are not deliberately inspired for obvious purposes, it might be queried: should China or any other power adopt as a basis for action [Page 117] by it a hypothesis based on rumor that some other powers are preparing to make such modification. The American Government and the governments members of the League have on various occasions made known their position, in declarations of attitude which still stand.31

Department requests that both Legation and Peck reread in this connection for background and guidance purposes Department’s telegram to Legation No. 215, July 17, 1932, 11 p.m.32

Hull
  1. When this instruction was carried out on April 22, Dr. Wang Ching-wei “said that if the Chinese Government did consent to resume through traffic with Manchuria it would certainly be in a way which would not disturb in any way the principle of non-recognition of ‘Manchukuo’; it would be done through the operation of a through service by the Wagons Lits Company, with due safeguards in relation to separate tickets and rolling equipment for the two sections of the line, or in some such way. The Chinese Government, he said, would never take any step which could be construed as implying recognition of ‘Manchukuo’.” (893.01 Manchuria/1094)↩
  2. Foreign Relations, 1932, vol. iv, p. 165.↩