793.94119/400: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
87. Peiping’s 136, February 27, 10 a.m. In proceeding as indicated in the telegram under reference Dr. Leighton Stuart is of course not acting on behalf of or with the approval of this Government. I desire that, upon the arrival of Stuart at Hankow, you ask him to make abundantly clear to such officials of the Chinese Government as he may approach that this Government is in no way associated with his action. Please ask him also to make this clear to Wang Ke-ming and to the Japanese military authorities with whose knowledge and acquiescence he left Peiping for Hankow, as well as to any other Japanese authorities with whom he may have discussion of this matter. You should also point out to him in tactful language that assumption by an American private citizen of the role of an intermediary between authorities of foreign countries in relation to a question of major international import, or participation by such citizens in deliberation by such authorities with regard to high governmental policies are forms of activities which create and entail tremendous personal responsibilities and have been shown by experience to have more often unfortunate than beneficial consequences. I desire further that as suitable opportunity presents itself you discreetly inform the appropriate authorities of the Chinese Government of the fact that Stuart is not acting on behalf of or with the approval of this Government.
[Page 112]In view of the fact that Stuart has presumably not as yet reached Shanghai en route to Hankow, I suggest that you repeat Peiping’s telegram under reference and this telegram to Gauss at Shanghai with request that Gauss communicate to Stuart upon his arrival at Shanghai the views which you also will later communicate to him.
Please repeat this telegram to Peiping and request that Peiping repeat it to Tokyo.