CHINA CONTINUATION OF THE EMBARGO ON SHIPMENTS OF ARMS TO CHINA Date and number Subject Page 1928 Jan. 19 (1361) Feb. 13 (12) Feb. 18 (13) Feb. 18 (55) Feb. 20 (109) Feb. 23 (119) Feb. 25 (67) From the Minister in China Memorandum, January 17 (text printed) of a conversation between the Counselor of the Legation and the German Minister concerning a shipment of arms to China from Czechoslovakia and the Minister's comments with reference to the U. S. Government's attitude in regard to the extension of the arms embargo agreement. Information that several of his colleagues have discussed with him the arms embargo question and that it appears likely further discussion will lead to some proposal for respective governments' consideration. From the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Foreign Minister's request that the U. S. Government be informed that the Japanese Minister at Peking has been instructed to confer with his colleagues with a view to securing adhesion of nonsignatory powers to the 1919 agreement for embargo of arms and ammunition for China; also his request that the U. S. Government instruct its Minister at Peking to give the Japanese Legation his active support in this proposal. To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Instructions to inform the Foreign Minister that the U. S. Government is responsive to the suggestion that the powers concerned confer, but feels that it would be advantageous first for the Ministers to investigate the degree of success that has attended the efforts of the signatory governments toward the achievement of the objectives of the 1919 agreement. To the Chargé in China (tel.) Transmittal of excerpt from telegram No. 12, February 13, from the Minister in Japan and the Department's reply. Department's doubt whether it will be found possible to so strengthen and broaden the 1919 embargo as to render advisable its continuance. Instructions to use opportunity to guide discussions along these lines but to avoid giving impression that the U. S. Government has arrived at any conclusion in the premises. From the Chargé in China (tel.) Information that, at the Japanese Minister's request, a meeting of Heads of Legations is set for February 21 to discuss the arms embargo. From the Chargé in China (tel.) Details of the meeting of diplomatic body, February 21; the Minister's unsuccessful efforts to guide discussion along lines desired by the Department; decision of the meeting to send identic telegrams to their Governments (text printed) drawing attention to the 1919 arms embargo and expressing their conviction that powers who have not taken any measure should be induced to do so as soon as possible; decision also to submit matter of publicity to respective Governments. To the Chargé in China (tel.) View that the U. S. Government is not involved in any expressed commitment by the identic telegram; and information that the Department interposes no objection to its publication, also that the Department perceives no objection to proposal that the initiative be taken by Japan with a view to inviting nonsignatory powers to participate in the embargo. 292 294 294 294 295 296 297 CHINA CONTINUATION OF THE EMBARGO ON SHIPMENTS OF ARMS TO CHINA-Con. 1928 Mar. 9 (151) Mar. 14 (787) Mar. 28 (805) Mar. 28 (1451) Mar. 29 (193) Apr. 3 (829) Apr. 11 (223) May 4 (1491) June 20 (484) From the Chargé in China (tel.) Information from the Japanese Minister that a note was Report of interviews with the Vice Foreign Minister con- Report of interview with Foreign Minister March 22 in which the Ambassador sought to discover what progress was being made in the direction of the embargo on arms for China. From the Chargé in China Concurrence in conclusion reached by consul general at Tientsin that it would be highly desirable to obtain early legislation dealing with question of U. S. participation in arms, opium, and narcotic traffic in China. From the Chargé in China (tel.) Reuters despatch dated March 26 (text printed) reporting Information of a discussion of arms embargo with the From the Minister in China (tel.) Report of meeting of diplomatic body, April 2, in which the Japanese Minister made known the Soviet reply and the purpose of the Japanese Government to make further representations to the Soviet Government upon the matter. From the Minister in China Concurrence in view of the consul general at Harbin that the G. A. Bashkiroff and Company would not be violating the arms embargo agreement in importing a two-ton truck chassis from the United States, even though an armored car for that truck is to be constructed locally for use against bandits. From the Minister in China (tel.) Page 298 298 300 300 301 301 302 302 303 Request that the Department reconsider the question of including commercial airships under U. S. interpretation of the arms embargo agreement. June 23 (198) To the Minister in China (tel.) 303 Information that the Department will grant permits to export commercial airplanes to China. July 9 (908) To the Minister in China 304 View that it would be advisable for the present to posptone the proposing of new legislation to cover U. S. participation in arms and narcotic traffic in China. CHINA CONTINUATION OF THE EMBARGO ON SHIPMENTS OF ARMS TO CHINA-Con. Date and number Subject Page 1928 July 11 July 30 (937) Sept. 24 Dec. 5 (1787) To the Secretary of the American Institute of Marine Under- Information that the agreement which member companies To the Minister in China Instructions with respect to the 1919 agreement and the President's proclamation of 1922, for the guidance of consular officers in China. Information that the Department is disposed to offer no objection to the exportation of the automobile chassis mentioned in the Minister's despatch No. 1491, May 4. To Senator Hiram Bingham Information that, in order to fulfill policies and duties arising from the 1919 agreement and the President's proclamation of 1922, export permits are required for export of airplanes to China; that permits for export of commercial planes are granted immediately following submission of application. From the Minister in China Transmittal of minutes of meeting of representatives of powers on November 23, called to consider the desirability of maintaining, modifying, or doing away with the 1919 agreement; observation that it was decided to maintain the status quo in respect of the arms embargo. REDUCTION OF AMERICAN MARINE FORCES IN CHINA 304 305 307 308 Recommendation that the American forces in North China not be reduced at present. From the Chargé in China (tel.) From the Minister: Disagreement with recommendation of the commander in chief of the U. S. Asiatic Fleet that U. S. Marine forces in China be reduced; recommendation that no reduction take place until the Legation is able to report that American lives and property will not be imperiled. To the Chargé in China (tel.) 309 309 Mar. 5 (80) 311 Request for opinion as to advisability of withdrawing any of the U. S. cruisers on China station and for information as to number of British forces now in China. Mar. 13 (160) 311 July 13 (222) From the Chargé in China (tel.) Opinion, in which Minister concurs, that this is not an appropriate time for reducing U. S. naval, marine, or military forces in China and that if it is impossible for Navy to reconsider withdrawal of light cruisers, they should be held available for immediate return. Statement of number of British forces in China. To the Minister in China (tel.) Request for views on the plan being considered by the Navy to reduce U. S. forces in China by about one thousand men. 313 1928 July 22 (558) From the Minister in China (tel.) Communication sent to commander in chief of the U. S. Asiatic Fleet expressing the opinion that, if necessary, the Marines at Tientsin might be reduced to less than two thousand men without undue risk, and telegram which the commander in chief proposes to send to Navy Department approving the reduction of the Marine force at Tientsin as suggested by General Butler but recommending that the force at Shanghai be maintained (texts printed). To the Minister in China (tel.) 313 315 Information that the Navy will proceed in accordance with 315 (749) Oct. 12 (768) Nov. 1 (805) Nov. 5 (810) Nov. 8 Nov. 9 (374) Telegram sent to the commander in chief stating belief that the Marine forces at Shanghai may soon be reduced by one half (text printed). From the Minister in China (tel.) Communication from the commander in chief quoting despatch which he plans to send to Navy Department proposing removal of two companies of Marines from Shanghai, and reply sent to commander in chief October 11 approving proposed removal (texts printed). From the Minister in China (tel.) Information that the commander in chief has asked for views on his plan to recommend that the withdrawal of all Marines from Tientsin be commenced and that a reply has been sent (text printed) stating reasons why it is believed that the maintenance of the forces at Tientsin is essential but expressing belief that forces at Shanghai might be further reduced. From the Minister in China (tel.) Telegram from the commander in chief (text printed) quoting an exchange of communication with Navy Department concerning reduction of the forces in China and the recommendations which the commander in chief proposes to make; Minister's reply (text printed) stating reasons why he disapproves of withdrawal from Tientsin and setting forth recommendation which he intends to submit to the Department of State. Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State View that the issue is in regard to the place from which the next withdrawal shall take place and that, in the opinion of the officers of the Department, the views of the Minister should prevail. (Footnote: Information that this paper bears the notation: "Memorandum for Cabinet.") To the Minister in China (tel.) Information that the Department understands that at present it is proposed to withdraw three hundred men from Tientsin and that before any further reduction is made the entire matter of the place from which to take men will be reconsidered. 315 316 317 319 320 CHINA SATISFACTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE WITH THE SERVICES OF UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES AND AGENCIES IN CHINA Date and number 1928 Sept. 13 (311) To the Chargé in China (tel.) Subject Page 320 Sept. 27 (1679) Nov. 20 Request that the Minister make a report in regard to the From the Minister in China Report that the services of the Army forces in China have been altogether satisfactory; and expression of enthusiastic appreciation. To the Secretary of War Transmittal of the Minister's report of September 27; and statement that the Department concurs in Minister's views. 320 322 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA IN SETTLEMENT OF THE NANKING INCIDENT OF MARCH 24, 1927, AND THE REOPENING OF THE CONSULATE AT NANKING 1928 Jan. 14 (28) From the Minister in China (tel.) Feb. 29 (1) Mar. 13 Mar. 20 (99) Mar. 23 (183) Minister's intention to go to Shanghai in the near future in an attempt to effect a satisfactory settlement of the Nanking outrages. From the Minister in China (tel.) Interview at Shanghai with Huang Fu, new Foreign Minister of Nationalist Government at Nanking; reasons for Minister's refusal of Huang's invitation to be his guest on trip upriver and intention not to land at Nanking; arrangements for preliminary negotiations between Cunningham, consul general at Shanghai, and a representative of Huang, while Minister is upriver; Huang's assurances of his intention to offer terms wholeheartedly making atonement for outrages; Minister's warning against overoptimism as to possibilities for settlement along lines desired. From the Consul General at Shanghai (tel.) From the Minister, March 12: Instructions to express to Huang the Minister's disappointment over Huang's proposals; request for reasons for Huang's volte-face and his apparent insistence upon a point which he well knew the United States could not consider. To the Chargé in China (tel.) For the Minister: Approval of decision not to land at Nanking; suggestion, however, that it might be advisable to delay at Nanking long enough for some qualified person to make a cursory investigation as to the condition of U. S. property. From the Chargé in China (tel.) From Shanghai, March 13: Desire of Huang to be informed of the total amount of reparations to be demanded; disposition of Nanking authorities to consider consular claims as preferred. To Nanking, March 15: Suggestion that Paxton inform the Department of claims of consular Chinese staff. Information that the Minister has been informed, together with the suggestion that the Department be asked to ascertain total claims from missionary board. 323 323 326 327 327 |