793.94/2862: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
791. From Ambassador Dawes: Sweetser reports on the activities yesterday afternoon of the League as follows:
The draft resolution was amended this afternoon in the light of the discussion of the morning (see Embassy’s 784, November 23, 4 p.m., and 790, November 23, midnight) in respect of two points, namely: First, the relationship of the commission to the control of the two parties’ military activities was clarified by the thought that the commission could report on such activities but could not issue orders to the troops of either party, especially if, for example, the Japanese deemed it necessary to act against bandits; second, the amendment which Simon proposed on the point which Madariaga, Colban, and Fotitch raised to be an additional paragraph, to make it clear beyond any dispute that the commission’s constitution should not be interpreted to justify any delay of evacuation.
Immediately afterward, Drummond had an hour’s interview with Sze and presented to him this resolution. Drummond urged it as being very much in China’s interest to accent and later stated he had tried every argument possible, even inquiring what alternative to it the Chinese could see. However, Sze was adamant and said his instructions allowed of no choice and that China could not agree to the commission if it were not accompanied by a time limit for Japanese evacuation. In the end, Sze agreed to wire the draft text to his Government, though he had no hope of its acceptance.
Sze then had a long talk with Briand who similarly urged China, in its own interest, to accept the resolution. He pointed out that the commission’s creation in fact would constitute the commencement of an effective international interest concerning Manchuria and the completion in actual practice of the control which, in principle, was foreseen at the Washington Conference. Briand thought this would constitute for China a great forward step in handling the Manchurian problem.
Simon likewise had a long interview with Sze and used much the same arguments. It is, however, understood that Simon personally is not so hopeful as to an agreed solution and is contemplating the kind of statement to be made in the event of a disagreement.
It was felt better, under the circumstances, pending receipt of the final Chinese answer, for Briand to refrain from presenting the draft formally to the Japanese. So the only step taken in this connection was Drummond’s transmittal of the draft unofficially and informally. At the moment it is felt that if the Chinese should finally refuse, it would not be best for the draft to be presented at a public meeting, thereby forcing the Chinese to vote against the other Council members. The present temper of the Council members would appear to be to make [Page 552] every effort to persuade the Chinese to accept a proposition which they feel genuinely to be in China’s long-range interest; but not to place the Chinese, if they do not or cannot for internal reasons see it in this light, in a position of voting alone in opposition to a suggestion advocated by the remainder of the League Council.
- [Dawes]
- Shaw
- Telegram in two sections.↩