793.94/2372: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:05 p.m.]
265. (1) Drummond asked me to visit him this morning and discussed the situation as it appeared to him in light of the Japanese note which I reported in my 263, October 28, 11 a.m.33 This note, he said, presented the five points of Japan’s demands practically as they had been stated during the negotiations here, though the note might be construed to carry inferences of claims more extensive. Then he referred to recent Tokyo reports in the press, emanating apparently from official Japanese sources, in which two additional demands, namely, the payment of a sum of money and the problem of leases, were mentioned with the five points.
Drummond said this left Paris and Geneva (meaning Briand and himself) not knowing where they were. He said Briand did not know whether the Japanese note in effect included the demands mentioned in the press reports or which of the two versions of Japan’s demands was correct.
When I entered Drummond’s office, he had just concluded a telephone conversation with Briand. In line with this conversation, Drummond is preparing a reply to the Japanese note. He told me he felt the League must immediately make a counter move, as the Japanese note had been an appeal to public opinion.
(2) Drummond next speculated somewhat regarding possible action by the United States in connection with the October 24 draft resolution of the Council and later developments. He said he believed the Japanese position was stiffening and their next move will be the setting up in Manchuria of a puppet government. He wondered if Washington were holding conversations in regard to possible action with London and Paris. I informed him I had no intimations at all from Washington in the premises.
I am mentioning this because of the impression I gain in Geneva that Briand and Drummond continue handling the negotiations for the Council and that an important part will be played by Drummond. [Page 342] Since official communications from the Japanese and Chinese are addressed to Drummond as Secretary-General, it is possible that for the present at least Geneva will remain the center of action by the Council in this connection.