793.94/2108: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:10 p.m.]
196. Consulate’s 193, October 13, 5 p.m. At the Council meeting last night the discussion was immediately opened with a long statement by Japanese representative. This statement can be divided into two parts, one of which consisted of a detailed historical account of the Manchurian problem, the Japanese rights involved and the increasing provocations to which the Japanese Government has been subjected in that region. The second part was largely in response to the Chinese statements in the morning session of the Council and declared that in many parts of China, Japanese nationals were in a position of increasing danger on account of the rising tide of anti-Japanese agitation. No further explanations of the Chinchow incident than those already given out by the Japanese Government were made. With regard to policy the position taken by the Japanese was essentially the same as that heretofore reported. The troops would be withdrawn as the protection of the Japanese lives and property was assured. Meanwhile, the Japanese Government is ready to enter into direct negotiations in the spirit of the Council resolution of September 30th.
Sze replied that the anti-Japanese agitation was the result of the occupation of Chinese territory and the bombing of defenseless Chinese cities, “suppress the cause and the agitation will cease.” He then read two telegrams which he had just received regarding the bombing that very day of two towns Tahushan 150 kilometers and Koupangtze 172 kilometers from Mukden. He also read a telegram from Sherwood Eddy in the same sense as that referred to in Consulate’s 165, October 9, 11 a.m. Regarding direct negotiations he declared it absolutely useless to discuss such negotiations as long as Japanese troops occupied Chinese territory and as long as reparations had not been arranged. He then read some additional information concerning the Chinchow incident.
In reply the Japanese representative declared that Japanese airplanes had been fired upon at Chinchow and had replied with bombs. Sze replied that there were no anti-aircraft guns in or near Chinchow.
Lord Reading then asked the Japanese delegate to obtain information on the newly reported bombardments. The Japanese representative stated that he would ask his Government for such information.
Briand then made a conciliatory statement recalling the promises of the two countries and declaring that the situation although grave [Page 190] was not irremediable. He asked to have the assurance that nothing-would be done to aggravate the situation further or to complicate the already difficult task of the Council.