DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 5545 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D.C. - Price $4 (Buckram) CONTENTS (NOTE: For previously published correspondence on relations between UNDECLARED WAR BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA (continued from Volume 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, Page 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 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 Sinking by Japanese attack of the U. S. S. Panay, December 12, 1937, Attitude of the American Government on export of military material to China and service of American citizens with Chinese Air Force. . United States and other governments respecting financial assistance 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 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. 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 Failure of Japan to give satisfactory assurances that American consular officers in Japan have the right to visit American citizens under 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, 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 CHINA1 793.94/8957: Telegram Chapter I: The League Phase at Geneva 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 1 For other correspondence, see vol. III, pp. 596-797, and Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931-1941, vol. 1, 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 7 of the Nine-Power Treaty of Washington of 1922 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1938). 2 Victor Chitsai Hoo, Chinese Minister in Switzerland. 1 |