793.94/2813: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 22—1:49 a.m.]
776. From Ambassador Dawes: At this afternoon’s public meeting of the Council Yoshizawa proposed that the League send a commission to make an inquiry in Manchuria and China. He stated that the nomination and sending of this commission would in no way modify the desire of the Japanese Government to withdraw its troops as soon as possible to within the railway zone in accordance with the resolution of September 30th. He added that already, insofar as such action was warranted by the restoration of order, Japan has withdrawn a considerable number of troops and will proceed with that withdrawal under the conditions contemplated when the necessary security has been afforded.
Sze declared that no disposition which fails to provide for the immediate cessation of all military operations and the withdrawal of the Japanese forces immediately set in motion and progressively executed for a period of time of the shortest possible duration can pretend to be a solution of the problem. He said that his Government could not bargain for withdrawal or consent that withdrawal be dependent on any other matter than the arrangement of details for the securing of safety of life and property in the evacuated areas.
As to the position of his Government concerning the proposed commission of inquiry he said that while making no objection to it but on the contrary favoring any means of obtaining more accurate knowledge of events in Manchuria the Chinese will not for a moment agree that the creation of a commission should in any way furnish an excuse for a delay in beginning and progressively carrying out in the shortest possible time the complete withdrawal of the Japanese troops. The Chinese Government he stated will not be willing to discuss the proposal for a commission of inquiry upon any other basis.
[Page 527]All members of the Council endorsed the proposal for a commission as a move calculated to further a settlement of the immediate situation as well as of the underlying difficulties. A draft resolution is being elaborated. [Dawes.]