CO129-560-15 Traffic of arms to China 18-2-1937 - 15-11-1937 — Page 215

is Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned

to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]

From SWITZERLAND.

215

Decypher. The British Delegation (Geneva).

NO. 51.

D). 8.00 ..

R.

9.30 p.m.

September 17th 1937.

September 17th 1957.

September 17th 1937.

IMMEDIATA.

Following from Secretary of State:-

y telegram ....0.40.

I understand from r. Koo that Chinese delegation have instructions to try to obtain something on the following lines from the Advisory Committee.

11

1. declaration of Japanese aggression and a condemnation of inhuman methods of warfare adopted by the Japanese.

2. A refusal to supply war material and credit to Japan. Further if possible a refusal to supply certain raw materials such as wool, cotton, oil, iron and other minerals and a refusal to accept Japanese exports.

5. Facilities for purchase and delivery of arms to China together with credit arrangements and general financial assistance.

As regards (1) Mr. Roo made it clear that what was required was a moral if not actually a legal basis for co-ordinated action on lines of points (2) and (3). It was pointed out to

oo that a declaration of aggression would probably be a matter of considerable difficulty and might not be to the

r

advantage of China as it would almost certainly entail application of neutrality legislation by the President of the United States of America. To this Mr. Hoc replied that the United States

Government