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793.34/6625a
The Secretary of
State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
[Telegram]
WASHINGTON, April 28, 1934–7 p.m.
59. (1) Please call as soon as possible upon
the Minister for Foreign Affairs and, under instruction from your Government,
deliver to him an aide memoire, as
follows:
"Recent indications of attitude on the
part of the Japanese Government with regard to the rights and interests of
Japan and other countries in China and in connection with China have come from
sources so authoritative as to preclude their being ignored. Due consideration
being given to the circumstances under which these indications have appeared
and to their substance, it seems necessary and desirable that the American
Government, adhering to the tradition of frankness the has prevailed in
relations between it and the Government of Japan reaffirm the position of the
United States with regard to questions of rights and interests involved.
The relations of the United States with China
are governed, as are our relations with Japan and our relations with other
countries by the generally accepted principles of international law and the
provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party. In international
law, in simple justice, and by virtue of treaties, the United States has with
regard to China certain rights and certain obligations. In addition, it is associated
with China or with Japan
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DOCUMENTS
or with both, together with certain other countries, in multilateral
treaties relating to rights and obligations in the Far East, and in one great
multilateral treaty to which practically all the countries of the world are
parties.
Entered into by agreement, for the purpose of
regulating relations between and among nations, treaties can lawfully be
modified or be terminated—but only by processes prescribed or recognized or
agreed upon by the parties to them.
In the international associations and
relationships of the United States, the American Government seeks to be duly
considerate of the rights, the obligations and the legitimate interests of
other countries, and it expects on the part of other governments due
consideration of the rights, the obligations and the legitimate interests of
the United States.
In the opinion of the American people and the
American Government, no nation can, without the assent of the other nations
concerned, rightfully endeavor to make conclusive its will in situations where
there are involved the rights, the obligations and the legitimate interests of
other sovereign states.
The American Government has dedicated the
United States to the policy of the good neighbor. To the practical application
of that policy it will continue, on its own part and in association with other
governments, to devote its best efforts."
(2) Report delivery immediately by telegraph.
[20]
(3) Thereafter, we expect to make text public
here at our convenience.
HULL