FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1934, VOLUME III



but because they felt that the first interests in this subject lay in the
United States and in England and they wished to be sure that any
attitude they might adopt would be insofar as possible in accord with
the policies of these two countries. He said that up to the present
the British attitude had not been made perfectly clear but that when
the matter was called officially to the attention of the French Govern-
ment by the note of explanation of the Japanese Ambassador they
felt it was essential that France's position as an upholder of the exist-
ing treaties should be made absolutely clear. He feels that the French
reply makes it plain that France does not regard Japan as having
any different relation to China than that of the other signatories of
the Washington agreements and would expect any question arising to
be settled by the friendly procedure specified in article 7 of the agree-
ment of February 6,1922.
  Mailed London, Geneva.
                                                           STRAUS

793.94/6695
    The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

No. 771                                        TOKYO, May 4,1934.
                                               [Received May 19.]
  SIR: Reverting to my despatch No. 751 of April 20, 1934, as well
as to my telegram No. 71 of April 18, 5 p. m., and subsequent tele-
graphic correspondence concerning the "unofficial" statement issued
to the press by the spokesman of the Foreign Office on April 17 regard-
ing the Japanese attitude towards the rendering of assistance to China
by other countries, I have the honor to submit the following report
more as a record of the facts and developments than as an appraisal
of their results. Such an appraisal and a general survey of the situ-
ation can, I feel, better be made after the domestic and foreign rever-
berations from the affair have run themselves out.
  From information gathered from many sources I am now convinced
that the background of Mr. Amau's statement was as follows:
  The Japanese Government for some time had been increasingly
anxious over the reports of foreign activity in China. Mr. Rajchman
was reported to be on his way to Geneva to report to the League of
Nations on the question of technical assistance. Mr. Monnet also
of the League of Nations was said to be active in Shanghai in organiz-
ing an international syndicate for the purpose of financing a public
works program in China. A considerable number of officers with the
German General von Seeckt were understood to have arrived in China
for the purpose of giving military instructions, while foreign firms
were active in selling to the Chinese Government airplanes, automo-



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