793.94/3141: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
869. From Ambassador Dawes. Following report is from Sweetser:
“Today’s public session of the Council went exactly according to plan. Briand read the draft resolution and declaration without any appreciable change except, first, that the question of the relationship of the commission to evacuation was definitely settled by inserting a strong paragraph thereon in the declaration and, second, the reference to police measures was for the moment omitted pending instructions from Tokyo which are expected tonight as to whether Japan would prefer the Council text which is not entirely satisfactory to her, to be inserted in the declaration, or to make a unilateral declaration of her own which would encounter the other disadvantage of drawing forth statements by other Council members. Yoshizawa immediately requested [Page 662] adjournment until tomorrow afternoon which Briand said it would be ungracious not to grant. Yoshizawa will then state his views; Briand announced he has certain other comments to make.
The only outstanding question now seems to be that regarding police measures. This is expected to be merely a matter of adjustment which may call forth certain declarations, but which can hardly lead to a rupture. The program as foreseen now for tomorrow calls for a previous agreement between Yoshizawa and Briand as to the procedure regarding police measures clause, which will mean either a further addition by Briand to his statement or a declaration by Yoshizawa. It is hoped to avoid any further comment at this moment and proceed at once to the vote on the resolution and declaration. In this case the two delegations and any other so desiring would then add their explanations. It is understood the Chinese intend to make two general statements: first, reserving all their rights under the Covenant and other treaties; and, second, protesting the police measures, which they feel would not have been necessary except for Japan’s own actions. Certain comments by other members of the Council may be foreseen as, for instance, the Latin Americans on protecting railroad property and the Spanish on police measures.
After the resolution and declaration are finally out of the way Briand will make a general statement which it is understood will be fairly strong. The Council will then adjourn, leaving Briand to follow developments with the assistance, if necessary, of the Drafting Committee. Drummond is planning to leave for Geneva tomorrow night.”
- [Dawes]
- Shaw
- Telegram in two sections.↩