793.94/1984: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 5—11:50 a.m.]
707. Legation’s 697, October 4, 8 a.m. At a meeting this afternoon of Chiefs of Mission whose Governments are members of the Council of League of Nations and which I attended as a friendly observer the note of the Chinese Government was discussed. Most of those present felt that the situation growing out of the events in Manchuria was fraught with serious possibilities and that the Chinese proposal should therefore not be lightly dismissed. However, inasmuch as the League had abandoned the idea of a commission it would be very difficult for the interested Governments to comply without appearing to take sides. I informed my colleagues in confidence of the despatch of Hanson and Salisbury with the knowledge of the Japanese and that the Chinese Government had been advised thereof, it having been made clear that this decision had been reached prior to and not in response to the Chinese proposal.