94
Press Releases, vol. XVII, p. 284
Press Release Issued by the Department of
State on October 6, 1937
The Department of State has been informed by
the American Minster to Switzerland of the text of the report adopted by the
Advisory Committee of the League of Nations setting forth the Advisory
Committee's examination of the facts of the present situation in China and the
treaty obligations of Japan. The Minister has further informed the Department
that this report was adopted and approved b he Assembly of the League of
Nations today, October 6.
Since the beginning of the present
controversy in the Far East, the government of the United States has urged upon
both the Chinese and the Japanese Governments that they refrain from
hostilities an has offered to be of assistance in an effort to find some means,
accept-
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DOCUMENTS
able to both parties to the conflict, of composing by pacific methods the
situation in the Far East.
The Secretary of State, in statements made
public on July 16 and August 23, made clear the position of the Government of
the United States in regard to international problems and international
relationships throughout the world and as applied specifically to the
hostilities which are at present unfortunately going on between China and
Japan. Among the principles which in the opinion of the Government of the
United States should govern international relationships, if peace is to be maintained,
are abstinence by all nations from the use of force in the pursuit of policy
and from interference in the internal affairs of other nations; adjustment of
problems in international relations by process of peaceful negotiation and
agreement; respect by all nations for the rights of others and observance by
all nations of established obligations; and the upholding of the principle of
the sanctity of treaties.
On October 5 at Chicago the President
elaborated these principles, emphasizing their importance, and in a discussion
of the world situation pointed out that there can be no stability or peace
either within nations or between nations except under laws and moral standards
adhered to by all; that international anarchy destroys every foundation for
peace; that it jeopardizes either the immediate or the future security of every
nation, large or small; and that it is therefore of vital interest and concern
to the people of the United States that respect for treaties and international
morality be restored.
In the light of the unfolding developments in
the Far East, the Government of the United States has been forced to the
conclusion that the action of Japan in China is inconsistent with the
principles which should govern the relationships between nations and is
contrary to the provisions of the Nine Power Treaty of February 6, 1922,
regarding principles and policies to be followed in matters concerning China,
and to those of the Kellogg-Briand Pact of August 27, 1928. Thus the
conclusions of this Government with respect to the foregoing are in general
accord with those of the Assembly of the League of Nations.
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