893.51/2425: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 17, 9.35 a.m.]
1394. …
As regards the proposal of forming immediately the consortium without the participation of Japan the Minister stated that the information he had received from the French Embassy at London was to the effect that the British Government did not look with favor on this suggestion considering that the possible consequences of such action might be very detrimental to the interests of all concerned in China in as much as it was feared lest the combination of France, England and the United States in organizing the consortium without Japan would result in throwing the latter into the arms of Germany and the desire of British Government was seriously and earnestly to use every effort to induce Japan to enter the consortium without any reservations as to spheres of influence [Page 488] which latter contention was contrary to the present idea of the Allied international policy.
Mr. Pichon added that he shared this opinion with the British Government as he felt that compliance with the American suggestion would involve a very grave and dangerous step. He further said that he understood that Lord Curzon, as Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs at London, was already strongly urging the Japanese to withdraw from their present attitude of reserving special rights and interests in Eastern Inner Mongolia and Southern Manchuria.