793.94/2049: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11—10:30 p.m.]
180. The meeting of the Council summoned for October 13, noon, will deal solely with the Sino-Japanese question (Council resolution, paragraph 8, Consulate’s 150, October 1, 9 a.m.).
[Paraphrase.] Based upon my observations, I believe the policy the Council will attempt to pursue will be as follows:
To discuss the causes now is quite beside the question. To enter into such a discussion might raise issues which would afford an avenue of escape to the Chinese or Japanese from their present commitments. All must be focused upon the undertaking of the Japanese to withdraw inside the railway zone and upon the undertaking of the Chinese to safeguard the lives and property of Japanese as they evacuate points beyond the railway zone.
The above holds good also in regard to the question of any settlement of the Manchurian problem as a whole or of reparations.
Should developments in the Council materialize as hoped for, it is anticipated the Council may be able to state that it will recommend, [Page 158] as soon as evacuation has occurred and undertakings by both parties have been carried out, that they themselves negotiate the procedure to settle other outstanding questions affecting both parties to the dispute.
It may be noted that this attitude of the Council is looked upon as serving possibly as a face-saving device for Japan which may thus be able to see that, once out of it, they can begin negotiating directly with the Chinese Government. [End paraphrase.]