793.94/2415
The French Minister for Foreign Affairs (Briand) to the French Ambassador (Claudel)37
While the Council of the League of Nations has been unable to solve by conciliatory means the Manchurian difficulties, the proposed resolution which was unanimously adopted, with the only exception of the Japanese delegate, constitutes a compromise which the French Government hopes, may guide the next move on the part of the Japanese Government.
Such a result would remove many risks of aggravation of the present situation and, at the same time, strengthen the moral authority of the Council which the British Government, as well as the French Government should endeavor to preserve. This would be attained more safely if the Japanese Government were more strongly convinced of the solidarity of the powers.
The American observer was not in a position to state publicly the opinion of his Government. His silence might be interpreted by the Japanese as a disapproval of the Council’s action. It would be most important if Mr. Stimson, who, since the beginning of the discussions, has repeatedly shown his sympathy for the work of Geneva, would let the Japanese Government know that the Council’s recommendations meet with the views of the American Government. Should such an approval be given publicly, the result would be greater.
The British Government has given instructions to its Ambassador in Washington to ask the Secretary of State to send instructions to Tokio for that purpose./.
- Transmitted in English to the Department by the French Embassy, apparently on October 31.↩