793.94/2679: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:58 p.m.]
740. From General Dawes: I have just conferred with Briand. His present personal attitude so far as the matter of League procedure and the substance of the Manchurian question goes may be epitomized thus:
- (1)
- Briand recognizes that for the time being both Japanese public opinion and facts and conditions seem to necessitate no League recommendation of an immediate change in location of troops nor any reference to movements of troops, as indicating thereby a general Japanese policy, other than to protect Japanese life and property.
- (2)
- Briand fully recognizes the necessity of accepting the fact that any League pronouncement must consider the importance of the preservation of Japanese prestige for its effect upon public opinion in Japan and also the power of the Japanese Government in the situation at home.
- (3)
- Briand appears confident of the Japanese Government’s sincerity and good intent.
- (4)
- He seems to regard the idea of using the Shantung procedure now as having originated with the League, but he showed a decided appreciation of your suggestion that an initial committee be concerned simply with the matters of protecting Japanese personnel and property and of troop evacuation, with this committee delegating to another one the consideration of the difficult Japanese fifth point, in case it is raised, thereby preventing this question from interfering with the continuation of troop evacuation.
- (5)
- Briand then brought up a subject which evidently was uppermost in his mind at that time, namely, my attendance at the Council meetings. Like Banquo’s ghost, this subject has confronted me both in the halls of the mighty and on every street corner.
More than ever do I appreciate your wise phrasing of the announcement regarding my mission in Paris. Briand said if I did not attend the meetings here it would be generally considered to indicate an attitude by the United States of less cooperation than previously with the League’s purposes in this situation and a decided injury to the League’s prestige and influence.
I replied to this that were I to attend the Council meetings this would be attacked before the public at home as an advance from United States association with the League in connection with the Manchurian question to a continuing alliance of the United States with the League. Briand’s reiterated insistence that my nonattendance would embarrass the League and injure its prestige was such that I told him finally, in strict confidence between ourselves, that I would consider, without [Page 445] commitment, a procedure which I submit now to you for comment (if you do not comment upon it, it will be regarded by me as left to my judgment):
After the League had had, say, two or three meetings, I said, then Briand, as Chairman, might write me to the effect that the League was discussing matters which involved American treaty rights and United States cooperation in the Kellogg Pact for the sake of peace, and for this reason my presence was desired. Such an invitation would answer in advance the demagogic attack sure to be made if I accepted a general invitation which failed to state that my attendance was desired specifically because of the discussion of American interests.
I have been careful not to make any commitment, but this morning in talking with Briand I realized that if I did not discuss this matter with him I would have been invited as a matter of course by the League to its sessions. In recapitulation, an unexplained declination by me of a general invitation would, in view of the importance of the critical situation in Manchuria at present, assuredly embarrass the administration greatly among the friends of peace at home; and any acceptance would again arouse unreasonable and demagogic attacks at home upon American association with the League, unless by stating the reason for acceptance the invitation itself should answer the critics in advance.
Another procedural method might be as follows:
You would make a statement concerning the circumstances under which, should they arise, you would wish me to be present at Council meetings, your statement to be published now or later.
The situation as it confronts me is presented herewith, and I desire the President and you not to be deterred by thinking of any embarrassment to me personally from any decision you may make in this connection. I shall wait for your comments and instructions, if you have any.
If you wish, you can reach me by telephone at Hotel Ritz. [Dawes.]