793.94/3494
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck)
In connection with the inquiry communicated by Consul General Peck on behalf of the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, with regard to the possibility that this Government will call a conference under the Nine-Power Treaty; and, in connection with the Department’s reply of January 8 (copies attached), Mr. Hornbeck asked the Chinese Minister to call.
The Minister repeated, with emphasis, expression of his gratification, expressed earlier in the day, over the American Government’s note of January 7.
Mr. Hornbeck inquired whether the Minister had received anything from his Government on that subject. The Minister said that he had not.
Mr. Hornbeck then said that we had received an inquiry through Consul General Peck on behalf of the Chinese Foreign Minister; the Minister had inquired with regard to the possibility that the American Government intended now to call a conference under the Nine-Power Treaty. He said that this Government did not desire to commit itself at this point, either affirmatively or negatively, with regard to intentions and steps contemplated for the future. We had just taken, as the Minister realized, a very important step. It would be desirable to watch developments. The Manchuria question is of very great importance, but many other questions and problems are on the world’s calendar, compelling immediate attention. It would not seem that at this moment there was occasion or that it would be opportune under present circumstances to raise the question of calling a conference.
The Minister said that, immediately after the Secretary of State had informed him on January 7 of the contents of our note, he had telegraphed his Government reporting the facts and expressing his view that this action introduced a very helpful factor in the situation. [Page 19] He read the text of his telegram. He said that he had no doubt but that the inquiry of the Minister for Foreign Affairs had been made before receipt of his telegram. He said that, although he thought that the calling of a conference would be helpful, he realized that many factors, including that of timeliness, had to be given consideration. He said that he realized that the Manchuria question had been the subject of a great deal of inter-communication among governments—as was expressly provided for in Article 7 of the Nine-Power Treaty. He hoped, however, that serious thought would continue to be given to the advantages which might be derived from the holding of a conference expressly called ad hoc.