793.94/8618: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:40 p.m.]
194. 1. In interview granted yesterday to local Associated Press correspondent (American) by Wang Chung Hui,
2. Questions submitted were to effect:
- (1)
- Does Chinese Government perceive any useful purpose in sponsoring or participating in a Far Eastern regional pact and are existing accords to which China is party or which have to do with stability in Eastern Asia sufficiently up to date to serve as guarantees for mutual well-being of Far Eastern nations and of powers vitally interested in the Orient;
- (2)
- Does China expect to take initiative in securing revision of expired treaties with Great Britain [and America?] or wait for London or Washington or both to make first move;
- (3)
- What are China’s minimum requirements for resumption of Sino-Japanese negotiations.
3. Following written answers were given in English:
“(1) International developments during the last few years, and more particularly in this part of the world, have forced attention to the inadequacy of the existing peace treaties as guarantees for national security and international peace. This has led to a great piling up of armaments on the one hand and to a quest for regional security on the other.
Though China has suffered severely from foreign aggression, she still believes that the ideals represented by the League Covenant91 and the Kellogg-Briand Pact91a afford the best means of securing universal lasting peace. The Chinese Government has given wholehearted support to efforts to strengthen instruments of peace in order to establish firmly a universal system of collective security. It is our hope that the present state of affairs in which the violation of the independence and territorial integrity of national sovereign states has been allowed to pass with impunity, will soon be remedied.
As regards the question of a Far Eastern regional pact, the participation and support of the powers interested in the Far East is necessary in order to make it effective. The primary objects of such a pact would be, of course, to reaffirm the principles of mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereign rights and to provide a more effectual machinery than that now existing for the prevention or removal of any state of affairs that might gravely endanger peace and stability in this part of the earth.
“(2) Such initiative was taken by the Chinese Government when the treaties referred to expired a few years ago. It is unfortunately the fact that not much progress has been made in the intervening period. Since these treaties were concluded in circumstances entirely different from those existing today they are both antiquated and out of harmony with the national consciousness of the Chinese people. The Chinese Government sincerely hope that the task of revising these obsolete treaties will soon be accomplished for the benefit of all concerned.
“(3) China is always prepared to discuss outstanding issues with Japan in a frank and open manner with a view to finding common points of agreement. The usefulness of such parleys depends on at least two factors. First, the present situation should not be further aggravated by any acts of aggression or infringement upon China’s sovereign rights. Secondly, the negotiations should not at any stage be prejudiced by actions tending to incite the public feeling in either country.
I am of the opinion that many questions in North China, for example the bogus régime in East Hopei and North Chahar and the smuggling question, can be speedily remedied if friendly words are supplemented by deeds. With a clarification of Sino-Japanese relations in North China, the present situation would undoubtedly be improved, thus facilitating negotiations looking toward a solution of the fundamental issues as well as closer economic ties between the two countries.”
4. Sent to the Department. By mail to Peiping, Tokyo.
- Foreign Relations, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, vol. xiii, p. 69.↩
- Signed at Paris, August 27, 1928, Foreign Relations, 1928, vol. i, p. 153.↩