793.94/2324: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:33 p.m.]
250. Consulate’s 247, October 24, 6 [3] p.m. The Council convened at 5 p.m. and immediately heard an announcement from Briand that the conferences which he had had this afternoon with the Japanese representative had not led to an agreement. This was followed by a declaration on the part of the Japanese representative restating briefly the Japanese position and the inability of his Government to accept the draft resolution of the Council.
The Japanese counterproposal was first put to a vote and rejected 13 votes to 1, Japan voting in favor. A vote on the draft resolution was taken by roll call and was adopted by 13 votes to 1, Japan voting against.
Briand then expressed his regret that unanimity could not be obtained and went on to point out some of the difficulties in the settlement of this question and the success of the League in confining the conflict within its present limits and eliminating the threat of war. He then spoke as follows:
“May I say how touched we have been and how grateful we are for the assistance which has been given us throughout by the great Republic of the United States of America. From the very outset the United States Government associated itself with our efforts and exchanged communications with us. Within the limits which it associates itself and in connection with those points which concerned it—that is to say, confining its attention to the Pact of Paris, of which it was the initiator—the United States Government gave its cooperation within those limits when asked. I should like to ask the representative of the United States to convey to his Government our warm thanks for the assistance which has thus been given us within these limits and to say that the moral effect of their support has contributed greatly to circumscribing the conflict.”
After expressing the hope that between now and November 16 the conflict will be settled, Briand added that it should be understood that the resolution which had just been voted upon does not supersede the Council’s resolution of September 30.
In the exchange of felicitations that took place at the conclusion of the meeting the representative of Norway associated himself in what Briand had said regarding the United States. I replied to these remarks as follows:
“I take this occasion to thank the President of the Council for the words he was kind enough to address to me earlier this afternoon, and also for those spoken by the representative of Norway. These I shall have the honor of transmitting immediately to my Government.”
Regarding the United States, Madariaga spoke as follows:
“I venture to express the hope that we may have reached complete unanimity by the next meeting. I would like finally to be permitted to associate myself with what the President has said on the subject of the collaboration so valuable for us, of the Republic of the United States, and to hope that if unfortunately the Council should have to continue its work in this affair, this collaboration will be again assured us.”
In this regard Sze said:
“May I also join in with my colleague from Norway in expressing our deep gratification in having the cooperation of the representative of the United States at the Council.[”]
The Chinese delegate also expressed himself pessimistically regarding an improvement in the situation in Manchuria in view of the Japanese insistence upon negotiations which China will not enter upon until the evacuation of the troops. Considered the period of adjournment to November 16 too long and reserved the right to request the calling of an earlier meeting should the evacuation not proceed in accordance with the hope expressed by Briand.