DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 5545

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CONTENTS

Page

(NOTE: For previously published correspondence on relations between

the United States and Japan in 1937, see Foreign Relations, Japan,
1931-1941, Volumes I and II. Documents printed in those volumes
have not been reprinted in the 1937 annual volumes.)

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67

155

UNDECLARED WAR BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA (continued from Volume

III):

American representation at committee meetings of the League of Nations

in Geneva and at the Brussels Conference, convened in virtue of

article 7 of the Washington Nine-Power Treaty of February 6, 1922,

concerning China:

Chapter 1: The League phase at Geneva

Chapter II: Preparations for the Brussels Conference

Chapter III: The Conference at Brussels, November 3–24

Measures taken by the United States for the protection of American

lives and property in China resulting from hostilities between

Japan and China .

Naval measures taken by China and Japan along the coasts and in the

rivers of China; effect on American and other shipping

The bombing of the American Dollar Line steamship President Hoover by

Chinese aviators

Sinking by Japanese attack of the U. S. S. Panay, December 12, 1937,

in the Yangtze above Nanking .

Attitude of the American Government on export of military material

to China and service of American citizens with Chinese Air Force. .

236

430

473

485

.

520

549

568

627

634

CHINA:

Measures taken by the United States for the protection of American

lives and property in China .

Problem of China's economic reconstruction and the attitude of the

United States and other governments respecting financial assistance

to China

Relief activities on behalf of victims of war conditions in China .

Consideration of resumption of negotiations for relinquishment by the

United States and other powers of extraterritorial rights in China .

Concern of the United States respecting imposition in China of customs

levies and other taxes hampering to American trade. .

Representations by the United States against the establishment of

monopolies in China.

Efforts for consideration of American claims outstanding against

China . .

Rejection by the United

States of application of Chinese income tax to

American citizens.

Objection by the United States Government to confiscation of copies of

an American-owned newspaper as an infringement of extraterri-

torial rights

643

658

662

677

685
Page

692

694

703

723

734

780

807

UNDECLARED WAR BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA-Continued

Use by Communist propaganda agencies in China of American owner-

ship, real or simulated, for protection ...

Problem of controlling the traffic in opium and other narcotic drugs in

China . ..

JAPAN:

Political developments in Japan; pressure upon Cabinet by Japanese

Army ..

Representations on establishment of oil monopolies in Japan and

Manchuria. ..

Representations to Japan in regard to regulation of fisheries off the

coast of Alaska . ..

Trade relations between the United States and Japan

Unwarranted action by the Japanese Consul General at Honolulu with

respect to photographer taking picture of Japanese group on U. S.

Navy pier ...

Refusal of Japanese Government to authorize visit by United States

Navy vessel to ports on islands under mandate to Japan . ..

Assistance by Japanese Government in search for missing airplane of

Miss Amelia Earhart ..

Failure of Japan to give satisfactory assurances that American consular

officers in Japan have the right to visit American citizens under

detention or arrest in Japan.

Refusal by the United States Government to authorize operation of a

Japanese air line from Taihoku (Formosa) to Manila

Exchange of notes between the United States and Japan on March 25,

1937, in settlement of perpetual leases in Japan. .

Siam:

Treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation between the United

States and Siam, November 13, 1937 .

Informal representations to Siamese Government against possible legis-

lation restricting the trade in oil; denial by Siamese Government of

intention to institute oil monopoly

811

814

816

817

819

825

890

INDEX

897

UNDECLARED WAR BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA

(Continued from Volume III)

AMERICAN REPRESENTATION AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS IN GENEVA AND AT THE BRUSSELS CONFERENCE, CONVENED IN VIRTUE OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE WASHINGTON NINE-POWER TREATY OF FEBRUARY 6, 1922, CONCERNING CHINA'

Chapter I: The League Phase at Geneva

793.94/8957 : Telegram

The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State

GENEVA, July 24, 1937–11 a. m.

[Received July 24–9:50 a. m.] 247. Learning that the Herald Tribune Geneva correspondent had sent a despatch implying that the Chinese delegation here is considering bringing the dispute with Japan before the League, I sought an occasion to discuss the matter with Hoo.2 He assured me that the press despatch is absolutely without foundation.

The Minister then confidentially exposed China's position vis-à-vis the League as follows. What action China might (take?] with Geneva would depend entirely on developments in Asia and any action whatsoever at present was regarded as entirely inopportune. Nanking perceived the League as of no value in preventing a conflict, the rousing of world opinion being considered fruitless without material action and if taken on Chinese initiative susceptible of producing the dangerous adverse effect of stiffening Japanese opposition in a manner to hinder a settlement. He said that China would not consider doing anything at Geneva except in case of the development of a major conflict. In such an event with everything to gain and nothing to lose China would undoubtedly endeavor to obtain the maximum of League support. In such an eventuality, referring to the Manchukuo affair, he said, however, that China would approach the League from a different angle, that she would not ask the League to effect a settlement but would request the League to impose sanctions against the

* For other correspondence, see vol. III, pp. 596-797, and Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. I, pp. 373-422, passim; also, Department of State Conference Series No. 37: The Conference of Brussels, November 3–24, 1937, Convened in Virtue of Article » of the Nine-Power Treaty of Washington of 1922 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1938). Victor Chitsai Hoo, Chinese Minister in Switzerland.

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