THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS



war. He thought China could hold out indefinitely from recognizing
"Manchukuo".
   After one or two other efforts to dissuade Dr. Wang, through Mr.
Li, from asking that you telegraph to the Department for a new
statement of the position of the American Government in regard to
the Manchurian dispute, I consented to send you a telegram. This
telegram you have doubtless received.7
  Very respectfully yours,                       WiLLys R. PECK


893.01 Manchuria/1046: Telegram
    The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

                               WASHINGTON, March 26, 1934-noon.
  38. Press reports from London have stated that the British Govern-
ment has instructed the British Ambassador that, in case Pu Yi makes
an official visit to Tokyo and invitations are issued for attendance at
functions in his honor, the Ambassador is not to attend.
  In case any such situation develops, please report immediately the
facts and add your comments, thus enabling the Department to give
you appropriate instruction.
                                                             HULL

493.11 Shanghai/61: Telegram
     The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai
                          (Cunningham)

                             WASHINGTON, March 27, 1934-6 p. m.
  67. Your No. 118, March 22, 4 p. M.8 This Government cannot, of
course, concede that Japanese Government has right to make an ex
parte and final determination of its liability toward American citizens
in these cases. On the other hand, the Department is desirous of
facilitating such settlements as will best serve the interests of the
persons concerned. You may therefore receive the check on the
understanding that you will endeavor to arrange private settlements
with the respective claimants by the payments indicated by Japan,
that your receipt of money implies no waiver of rights on the part of
either claimants or this Government but that it will be understood

7The Counselor, later on March 23, informed the Chinese Foreign Office of
the substance of the Hirota-Hull exchange of views, February 21 and March
3; for texts of informal and personal messages, see Foreign Relations, Japan,
1931-1941, vol. I, pp. 127, 128.
"Not printed; it reported details of Japanese offer to settle certain
American
claims arising from hostilities at Shanghai in 1932.



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