793.94/3667: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
40. Drummond informs me as follows:
Boncour, assisted by the British, German and Italian representatives as well as by the Secretary General (a reconstitution of the so-called Committee of Five) received separately and privately late yesterday afternoon both the Chinese and the Japanese representatives as agreed at the private session of the Council reported in the Consulate’s 38, January 26, 9 p.m.55 His purpose was two-fold:
- (1st)
- to express in the clearest and most unequivocal fashion the alarm felt by the Council regarding Shanghai, and
- (2d)
- to take advantage of the interview to feel out the two representatives as to other aspects of the dispute.
1. Shanghai situation. Boncour explained to Sato the grave disquietude the Council felt at the possibility of Japan’s landing troops at Shanghai. He pointed out that Shanghai was another matter than Manchuria, that there were vast international interests there, and that consequently there were great dangers of international complications. Sato was not in a position to give any positive information or assurances on the matter but promised to cable his Government of the Council’s concern. He explained however that he could accept no intimation of criticism on the part of the Council which he felt would be [Page 72] wholly unjustified. He also declared that his Government was becoming accustomed to protests. This led Drummond to state with some heat that Japan must surely take into account the expressions of general world opinion.
Boncour expressed to Yen the desirability of a supreme effort by China to preserve peace and order in Shanghai and to avoid any incident which might be interpreted as a justification of Japan’s claim that the Chinese Government was unable to protect foreigners on its territory. Yen pointed out that such disorders as had occurred were utterly insignificant in comparison with the vast scale of Japanese actions and were only a natural and almost inevitable outburst of public indignation which so far under the unprecedented circumstances had been remarkably restrained. He agreed, however, to transmit the Council’s views to his Government.
2. Position under the treaties. As regards the general situation Boncour expressed to Sato that the Council would greatly appreciate a formal declaration by Japan as to the territorial and political independence of China, the preservation of the “open door,” and the respect for existing treaties. Sato explained that he had already the day before made a statement on exactly these lines and that it would seem superfluous and be somewhat embarrassing to make another. He agreed, however, to inform his Government of the Council’s wish and to ask their instructions.
Yen in his turn said that he had been instructed to invoke articles 15 and 16 but had so far refrained from doing so in the hope of receiving satisfaction within the present procedure. Drummond had understood from a previous conversation that such satisfaction would have been had from a Council endorsement of the American note but Yen felt that this would not be sufficient. When pressed for details he said that what his people really wanted was to see the Japanese withdrawal begin and to secure some definite hope of the return of Manchuria. There was a feeling among some of those present, however, that Yen felt himself for the moment on somewhat uncertain ground because of the resignation of Chen under whose instructions he had been acting, and the likelihood of a less extreme policy on the part of his successor.
3. Possible program of action. A private meeting is planned for this afternoon for a report on these negotiations and a consideration of further action. It is expected that as the resolutions of September 30 and December 10 are still operative no further formal resolution will be attempted at this session but that instead a general declaration will be made by the President on behalf of the other Council members. This statement as at present outlined would emphasize the profound distress felt by the Council at the continued embitterment of the situation [Page 73] which is wholly unjustifiable not only to Japan and China but to’ the whole world in this moment of economic crisis; would point out that good relations between nations can be based only on cooperation and mutual respect and never on force either military or economic; would underline [recall?] that the process of conciliation has already begun with the appointment of the Commission to which the Council attaches very great importance; and would again urge both parties in their own interests and in the general world interest to desist from further aggravating the situation and to return to normal peaceful relations. Whether any action will be taken to expedite the visit of the Commission or either directly or indirectly to endorse the American note is still undecided.