793.94/2696: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:35 p.m.]
741. From Ambassador Dawes: Sze called today at noon. I presently induced him to drop the recounting of Chinese grievances and to discuss the essence of the present situation, as seen by you, and with which I agree, namely: Can the question of protecting Japanese nationals and of evacuating Japanese troops be solved without interjecting in this continuing process delay due to the fifth point on treaties of the former Japanese proposal? In effect, Sze said he would agree to anything proposed by the United States but wishes very much to be allowed to mention it as emanating from this country. I submitted your proposal verbally to Sze as I had done to Briand, Simon,24 and Matsudaira, and I repeated from your 328, November 11, 5 p.m., the remark that you believed any American suggestion made would be far more effective if its origin were not labeled American but seemed to come from China and Japan themselves. On this matter I spoke strongly to Sze and pointed out that what he felt would help him in Chinese public sentiment might be just the thing which would have an adverse repercussion on Japanese public sentiment or on that in other quarters not now foreseeable. Sze has promised to consider this matter confidential and merely as a suggestion to help both parties in the situation.
[Page 449]The importance in everyone’s mind here of any American position and, if I may say so, their respect for the Department’s opinions is such as to render difficult the making of confidential suggestions to different parties without an impression being created of an initiative, which I am endeavoring to avoid in accordance with your request.
Repetition is the penalty of wisdom, particularly when associated with power. I think, however, that no harm has yet been done. Parenthetically, yesterday Briand told me that Simon had telegraphed him the same suggestion which at the moment I was conveying to him as from you. This was natural enough, for Simon’s message was dispatched following the interview between him, Matsudaira, and me in London.
Massigli called after Sze had left and agrees fully in this matter.
A telegram from Matsudaira in London says he will be here this evening, and after seeing him I hope to report again. [Dawes.]
- Sir John Simon, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.↩