793.94/2281: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert)
116. In regard to the situation in Manchuria, a statement has been received by the Department outlining the situation at Geneva as of October 20, from which is quoted the following:16
“The Japanese delegation is unofficially telling people that after the Secretary of State’s explanation to Japanese Ambassador indicating that America would not join in economic sanctions, Japan would not continue to object to the presence of American representative in Council meetings. Japan’s tactics seem to separate Washington from Geneva just as she successfully did in September. Officially she is taking stiff attitude in negotiations with Briand.”
You may tell this to the Secretary General or M. Briand or Lord Reading. You may state that there has been no statement by the Secretary on either joining or refusing to join in action which the League may take or propose. The American Government is in no way committed, either affirmatively or negatively, in this connection.
- Quotation not paraphrased.↩