793.94 Commission/752: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 20—3:58 a.m.]
68. Following from Nanking:
[“]January 19, 5 p.m. Last night in private conversation the Minister for Foreign Affairs told me that apparently China could expect neither justice from the League nor friendship from member nations. He evidently referred especially to Great Britain. He said that if these anticipations proved accurate China would do something which would ‘surprise the whole world’. Today in a further private conversation he led me clearly to infer that China’s contemplated action is withdrawal from the League. His feeling was that the threat of Japan to withdraw from the League is influencing the attitude of some member nations but that the withdrawal of China would actually harm the League more than the withdrawal of Japan would. My endeavor to ascertain the foreign source if any from which China would expect assistance after withdrawal was unsuccessful but the Minister for Foreign Affairs denied categorically that China would in that event rely on Russia. While he charged the allied nations especially Great Britain with showing ingratitude during this crisis for participation by China in the European war he said that he had not discussed with Ingram, the British resident diplomatic officer, the possibility of withdrawal from the League. It seems possible that he is seeking to utilize me as indirect channel to convey this intimation to Ingram and I will try to ascertain.”
I have just sent the following telegram to Peck concerning last sentence:
“I suggest that you be cautious about becoming channel for such communications. Minister of Foreign Affairs has Ingram there to talk to directly if he wishes.”
I have no idea what Lo means unless it is withdrawal from League. He one time made a somewhat similar remark to me.