793.94/2828: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 23—2:14 a.m.]
783. From Ambassador Dawes: At midnight I was given by Sze a copy of the main parts of a telegram from the Chinese Government communicated to the Minister in China.75 Sze told me his Government wished your comments on this message to be communicated to him through me, instead of by the usual course of direct communication with Minister Johnson in Nanking for the Chinese Government to transmit to Sze. Nanking is evidently taking matters into its own hands, restricting severely the discretion of Sze. Also it appears evident that in case anything of the sort from Nanking should go before the League Council, this would mean the failure of the League’s negotiations. Sze, who has seen the text of the Council’s proposed resolution (see Embassy’s 779, November 22, 8 p.m.), speaks contemptuously of it. I am uninformed whether the Japanese have seen the text of this proposed resolution as yet. There is no reason for supposing it will be satisfactory to them. Therefore, I see only a slight promise in the situation for hope that the Council’s negotiations will be successfully concluded. Without hearing from you, the Chinese will not dare to put before the Council the proposition as stated in the telegram from Nanking, for this includes proposals involving American demands. I am assured to this effect by Sze. Thus the situation gives you the opportunity at least to delay temporarily the prospective impasse through taking ample and entirely justified time to consider your reply. While you are so doing, the effort reported to you by Debuchi to withdraw the troops may materialize into something to ease the situation. You may perhaps consider whether, independently of the League and unembarrassed by any prior discussion with it, you are not afforded a good opportunity by the present situation to express your opinion directly to Nanking on the wise attitude for China at this juncture to adopt. Again, in view of the critical condition which has now been outlined to you, you may deem it wise to make further representations to Tokyo. In my judgment, it is the attitude of the United States which is, in the minds of several of these powers, of primary importance, while the attitude of the League, very important as it is, is still considered by them to be secondary.
[Page 541]The other telegrams I am sending you tonight will, I believe, bring you up to the moment on the situation as it exists here. [Dawes.]