Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, Japan, 1931–1941, Volume I

793.94Advisory Committee/59

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

No. 385

Washington, October 23, 1933.

Sir: Reference is made to the Department’s instruction No. 367 of September 25, 1933,⁵⁰ in regard to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee of the League of Nations relating to certain measures involved in the non-recognition of “Manchukuo”.

Upon the return of Minister Hugh R. Wilson to Geneva, he telegraphed to the Department under date October 13, 1933, 11 a.m.⁵¹ that he was not transmitting to the Secretary General of the League the Department’s reply of September 20, 1933, to the Secretary General’s letter of June 12, 1933, as it was almost certain that such a communication would “shortly become public knowledge”. In view of the foregoing circumstance, Minister Wilson suggested that the Department authorize him to explain the American Government’s position orally and confidentially to the Secretary General and to state that when the Manchuria Committee meets again he would explain this Government’s position to the members of that committee. Under date October 13, 1933, 2 p.m. the Department approved Minister Wilson’s suggestion.⁵¹

Very truly yours,

For the Secretary of State:

William Phillips

[Under Secretary of State]

50. Not printed; it transmitted copies of instruction No. 2319, Sept. 20, 1933, and its enclosures, to the Chargé in Switzerland, p. 121.
51. Telegram not printed.
51. Telegram not printed.