793.94/2049: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert)
86. Reference the penultimate paragraph your 180, October 11, 11 p.m. You should in strict confidence discuss with Drummond the following:
In the way of inducing the Chinese and Japanese to enter into direct negotiations the greatest obstacle appears to be that, while the stronger party, Japan, professes willingness to negotiate, the weaker party, China, which feels at a disadvantage on account of a disparity of strength and the loss in position incurred already in the course of the current Manchurian encounter, is so apprehensive concerning concessions it would be obliged to make that it feels entirely unable to enter directly into negotiations with Japan.
I have a strictly confidential suggestion to offer. I should like Drummond to consider this and, if he sees any virtue in it, to make it his own idea, doing what he is able with it. After the 1919 Peace Conference, as the Shantung question stood at that time, when China and Japan were contending over it, the Chinese, being afraid, declined [Page 177] to negotiate concerning it with the Japanese until it was finally arranged to have them negotiate with friendly observers present. Then, in the course of the Washington Conference, with the help of Messrs. Arthur J. Balfour and Charles E. Hughes and with representatives of these delegates present and assisting, the Chinese and Japanese succeeded in their negotiations by concluding an agreement.
In the present situation, it occurs to me, the suggestion to the Chinese and Japanese would be warrantable that their representatives should meet with friendly observers present and should, in such presence, at least make an attempt at adjusting their differences and coming to an agreement. If and when such a suggestion were put forward as a proposal, I feel it should originate in and be made by the League Council, for two reasons, namely, first, because this whole question is in fact, and rightly, being dealt with by the League primarily and, second, because the idea, coming from this source, would be received by at least one of the disputants with less initial resentment than would be the case if the idea were put forward by this Government or were known to have had its conception in this country.
I should like to have Drummond’s views as to this; should he see fit to make the suggestion his own, he may go ahead with it, resting assured that I will give my support to such a procedure if and when the Council chooses to suggest it.
I enjoin absolute secrecy upon Drummond regarding the fact that I am submitting this idea to him for consideration.