793.94/2211: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, October 20,
1931—noon.
107. Your 224, October 19, 7 p.m.
- (1)
- This gives me exactly the sort of information I wish. I hope you can continue sending it currently as promptly as possible without an undue burden being placed upon your work.
- (2)
- Attempts such as are described in your paragraph 4 must be anticipated from both China and Japan. Assurance may be given Briand and his associates by you that such Suggestions do not impress this Government and that I am perfectly content with the progress of the negotiations and with the manner they are being carried on. I will not permit any impression of divided counsel to gain support here.
- (3)
- I think the best arrangement possible for meeting the exigencies of the situation is the one for your own representation, to which I agreed with Reading in our telephone conversation and which is embodied in my 103, October 19, 6 p.m., to you. The chief criticisms current in Washington and Tokyo will be met by your abstaining from [Page 264] attendance at secret sessions and by your assuming the physical position of observer at public meetings when Kellogg Pact matters are not being considered. The situation also will be ameliorated by Japan’s withdrawing its objection, a fact which was brought to me following my talk with Reading and which has bettered the situation in the American press considerably.
Stimson