use or manufacture of such arms and munitions and the training of such personnel. In the note addressed to Mr. Harvey on July 19th it was added that satisfactory replies to this proposal for referring the question to the diplomatic representatives at Peking had been received from the Belgian, French, German, Italian and Portuguese Governments, and, in view of their past attitude in this question, special attention was drawn to the fact that the Italian Government had declared themselves as sharing the view of His Majesty's Government with regard to the desirability of an extension of the embargo on the lines suggested. The Japanese Government have indicated their approval of the proposal to inaugurate a discussion at Peking and His Majesty's Government therefore earnestly trust that the United States Government may now see fit to accept the suggestion and to instruct their Minister at Peking accordingly. [WASHINGTON,] September 15, 1922. 893.113/348 The Department of State to the British Embassy AIDE MEMOIRE The Department of State has received from the British Embassy an Aide Memoire dated September 15, 1922, with reference to the amended resolution submitted at the Conference on the Limitation of Armament regarding the export to China of arms and munitions of war. The memorandum dated June 23, 1922, which was sent to the British Embassy,81 gives in detail the various steps taken by this Government in connection with efforts to have the above mentioned resolution formally adopted by the various Governments concerned. Since the above memorandum was written, however, the Department has sent a telegram to the American Minister at Peking 82 giving him, for his information, the substance of the two notes received from the British Government on the subject of the Arms Embargo and instructing the Minister to discuss with his interested colleagues the proposals made by the British Government. The American Minister was also instructed to bear in mind, in connection with these discussions, the limited terms of the statute of the American law which prohibits only the exportation to China of "arms and munitions of war" and the difficulty and perhaps improbability of obtaining further legislation. 83 83 On September 2 the Department of State inquired of the American Minister at Peking, by telegraph, what action, if any, had been taken by the Diplomatic Body in connection with the proposals of the British Government above mentioned, and on September 6 a reply was received 8 stating that owing to the absence from Peking of many chiefs of missions no meetings of the Diplomatic Body had been held since the receipt of the Department's instructions to the Minister to discuss with the Diplomatic Body the desires of the British Government to make more effective the Arms Embargo. Minister Schurman, in his telegram, also stated that arrangements were being made for a meeting of the Diplomatic Body at an early date at which time this subject would be discussed. WASHINGTON, September 22, 1922. 893.113/352: Telegram The Ambassador in Italy (Child) to the Acting Secretary of State ROME, September 22, 1922—1 p.m. [Received September 22-12:16 p.m.] 169. Department's 122, August 15, 5 p.m. Note received today from Foreign Office states that in view of its declaration to suspend deliveries of Italian arms in China, etc. (see my 110, July 12, 1 p.m.), and also in view of recent proposal which British Government has addressed to Allies and Associates to review, in an international conference at Peking, the embargo of 1919 to the end that the clauses be rendered more complete and efficacious, Italian Government no longer thinks it necessary to give formal adhesion to resolution that, based on same argument and for same object, was proposed at Conference of Washington. CHILD 893.113/361: Telegram The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State PEKING, October 4, 1922—11 a.m. [Received October 4-9:40 a.m.] 405. My 359, September 6, 5 p.m.83 Diplomatic body meeting 3d unanimously adopted draft identic telegram as follows: 6 "As regards the arms embargo the diplomatic body unanimously approved the Washington formula arms or munitions of war whether complete or in parts' but they could not agree on any modification of that language for the purpose of extending or "Not printed. strengthening the prohibition. They unanimously agreed, however, to submit to their respective Governments the following interpolation of note, namely: This is understood to include aircraft other than commercial aircraft and machinery and materials destined exclusively for the manufacture of arms or the equipment of arsenals'." SCHURMAN 893.113/363: Telegram The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State PEKING, October 5, 1922-noon. 408. My 405, October 4, 11 a.m. Netherlands Minister after his return from meeting of diplomatic body, October 3d, wrote dean that it would be difficult for him to send to his Government identic telegram owing to the fact that the Dutch laws give the Government no power to prevent the export of "materials exclusively destined for the manufacture of arms and munitions." Resolution of the Washington Conference was changed at the request of the Netherlands delegation to read "arms and munitions of war complete or in parts." SCHURMAN 893.113/363: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Schurman) WASHINGTON, October 12, 1922—4 p.m. 239. Your 405 October 4, 11 a.m., 408 October 5, noon. Department is gratified at agreement of Diplomatic Body on formula as stated but before considering resolution and interpolation desires to know who initiated proposal that exception be made in case of commercial aircraft. Department has all along understood that some of the principal powers represented at Peking have not favored importation of commercial airplanes into China. What was attitude of British and Japanese representatives in discussion of subject in meeting of diplomatic body? Department is informed that in addition to 40 Vimys under contract of October 1, 1919, Vickers has supplied China with 100 Avros and that a number of Handley-Pages have also been imported for mail purposes. Can Legation state definitely number of planes imported under above contracts and the approximate date or dates of such importations? Department desires especially to know whether any importations either commercial or military type have been made recently under these or other contracts. HUGHES 893.113/374: Telegram The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State PEKING, October 24, 1922—4 p.m. [Received October 24-10:10 a.m.] 426. Your 299 [239], October 12, 4 p.m. French Minister insisted commercial aircraft be excepted from embargo. British Legation have consistently taken contrary view and assert that British authorities have, since conclusion of Vickers and Handley-Page agreements, opposed several British applications to import planes. Japanese agree with British. British importations under Vickers agreement 60 Avro, 35 Vim S, 40 Vim Y machines; under Handley-Page agreement 6 Handley-Page and 8 Avro machines. All these came 1920 or early in 1921. So far as known no other importations of planes from any source. SCHURMAN 893.113/380: Telegram The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State PEKING, October 28, 1922—2 p.m. 431. Your 251, October 26, 6 [7] p.m.8 Norwegian Minister has stated that he is unable to join in identic telegram as he believes that his Government has not adhered to arms embargo resolution of Washington Conference and consequently is not acquainted with details of matter (see my despatch no. 1033, October 1484). No further development in status of arms embargo agreement has occurred and Netherlands Minister still maintains position already taken. Matter will come up for discussion again at meeting of diplomatic body in near future. SCHURMAN 893.113/380: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Schurman) WASHINGTON, November 6, 1922-6 p.m. 257. Your 431, October 28, 2 P.M. With reference to aircraft. The Department considers it of primary importance for the Diplomatic Body to arrive at a common understanding. This government is therefore prepared to subscribe to the terms of the interpolation to the draft identic telegram (as reported your 405 October 4: 11 A.M.) which includes within the embargo "aircraft other than commercial 84 aircraft". If however further discussions lead to the conclusion that it would be desirable to include all aircraft within the embargo, it is also prepared to accept this alternative for the sake of uniformity. HUGHES AMERICAN PROPOSAL FOR A MUTUAL UNDERTAKING AMONG THE POWERS TO REFRAIN FROM ASSISTING CHINA IN NAVAL CONSTRUCTION 893.34/163 The Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Roosevelt) to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, March 14, 1922. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I am enclosing you a dispatch which has just been received from our Naval Attaché in Pekin. From all reports he is a thoroughly reliable and trustworthy man. Believe me [etc.] [Enclosure-Telegram] THEODORE ROOSEVELT The Naval Attaché at Peking (Hutchins) to the Secretary of the Navy (Denby) PEKING, March 14, 1922-8:14 a.m. 1613. Reference my 1616-1400 October and my 1607-1500 November my 1610–1100 February. Very Urgent. I have just been reliably informed that in consequence of apathetic attitude of United States Government and of Bethlehem steel corporation the Chinese authorities are discussing among themselves at present time advisability of giving task of Naval reorganization and building program to another Government and its nationals. Please advise attitude I should take. Having in mind Naval situation in Pacific. Present and probable future. Such procedure on China's part would be in my opinion most serious loss to United States and we should try to pre. vent it by every possible effort. 1530. [COMDR. CHARLES T. HUTCHINS] 893.34/163 Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs, Department of State (Lockhart) [WASHINGTON,] March 16, 1922. MR. SECRETARY: In 1911 the Chinese Government entered into a contract with the Bethlehem Steel Company for the construction of certain naval vessels which, among other things, provided for the |