793.94/2295: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Paraphrase]
238. My 232, October 20, 9 p.m. In a conversation late this afternoon with Briand, information was obtained as follows:
- (1)
- More favorable news continues coming from China and Manchuria, indicating that tension is relaxing somewhat.
- (2)
- Briand cited, among influences working in this direction, the representations which the French and perhaps others are making at Tokyo through diplomatic channels to induce Japan to refrain from further occupying or landing troops in Manchuria or China. One recent instance in particular was cited of a Japanese intention to land their forces at a Chinese port, with Shidehara giving a formal promise to desist when the French Ambassador made representations that such action would be contrary to Japan’s agreements under the September 30 resolution of the Council.
- (3)
- Briand is still awaiting a Japanese reply regarding his questions as to modification of their demands as covered by the crucial point based on treaties in the Japanese five points as communicated to [Page 286] Briand and Drummond (see my 233, October 21 [20?], 9 p.m.7 which followed a statement concerning the Japanese position in my 232, October 21 [20], 8 p.m. [9 p.m.]). The other four points appear reasonable, but this particular one involves important matters in relation to the question of solving the Manchurian problem as a whole. Briand deems this demand unacceptable, not only to China but also to himself and the Council, since, based as it is on solving a permanent problem, it does not conform to the conditions of the September 30 resolution of the Council respecting evacuation within a reasonable time.
- (4)
- A reply is expected this evening by the Japanese, who say they received a telegram this morning but the last section was undecipherable, so they have asked for it to be repeated. It is suspected here that this is merely a pretext for delay.
- (5)
- Briand’s negotiations with the Japanese are being continued. This evening he intends to meet them, not alone, but in Drummond’s presence, in order that any Japanese commitments will be made with a League official present.
- (6)
- Now Briand’s plan is that if the Japanese sufficiently modify their demands to make them seem reasonable and acceptable from the Council’s point of view, they will be submitted for consideration to the Chinese. Should the latter accept them, a solution of the immediate question of Manchuria would appear to be assured.
- (7)
- Should the Japanese not modify their demands as much as is deemed necessary, probably the Council will set forth, in the form perhaps of the resolution which was quoted in my 213, October 17, midnight, with amendments in my 222, October 19, 10 a.m., with further modification if needed, the project of a settlement based upon considerations believed to be right and just. This resolution or project would be submitted to both parties at a public Council session to serve as a record of the views of the Council that they should act upon this basis and report to the Council’s next session on the extent to which the terms laid down had been fulfilled by them. A definite date for the next Council meeting would be fixed.
- (8)
- Briand has meanwhile advised the Chinese against waiting until the last moment in making preparations to fulfill their engagements to protect Japanese lives and property but to make ready immediately a plan to institute necessary administrative measures to insure their security, in order that operations may at once begin, thereby removing any pretext for Japanese delay in withdrawing.
- (9)
- Regarding the information on their five points confidentially given by the Japanese to Briand and Drummond, the latter still are [Page 287] bound by promise not to transmit this information to anyone. Briand says he purposely refrained from pressing the Japanese to make the points public or more generally known to Council members, as his object was to render it easier for the Japanese to modify their demands. Had they been made public, the Japanese would be committed to public opinion at home and thus be in a more difficult position to reduce the extent of the demands.
- (10)
- While assuming the Japanese have discussed this matter with you, Briand wonders if the fifth crucial point mentioned above may not have been presented in an entirely different way to you from that presented in Geneva.
- (11)
- Suspecting the Japanese had been attempting perhaps to negotiate with the Chinese directly on their five points for the sake of obtaining commitments ahead of the conditions being made known generally, thus undermining the Council’s basis of negotiations, the delegation representing France made inquiry of the Chinese in this regard and learned that such an attempt had in fact apparently been made in Tokyo by means of approaching the Chinese Minister there. However, it appears the Chinese here do not know the full meaning of the Japanese demands.
Gilbert