793.94/1848: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 23—11:45 a.m.]
I delivered to Drummond the message contained in your telegram No. 119, September 22, 1 p.m. Drummond says the reports this morning are still more serious, while rumors indicate Japanese occupation has reached the Great Wall. The urgent desire for cooperation by the United States is steadily increasing, and Council members have been insistent that the United States be urged to cooperate in an active way in the deliberations. Drummond has conveyed in the most tentative way the wish that you could be consulted in regard to the measure of cooperation which might be possible. In his opinion, there are two steps which the United States might consider adopting:
- (1)
- An American to be invited to sit on the League Council—a step which he regards as the boldest and perhaps the most effective possible because of its effect on public opinion in Japan; and
- (2)
- Definite appointment by the Council of a small committee (France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Spain, the latter presiding) to be a regular “Council committee”, and a request to the United States to appoint an American representative.
The first step, of course, is subject to action by the Council. In Drummond’s opinion, a suggestion that the United States participate would be accepted gratefully and eagerly, except perhaps by Japan, but the Japanese representative would not dare to protest publicly.
For the second step there is a precedent in the appointment of the Liberian Committee, and while Drummond thought you might find this step easier, he feels the first suggested course would naturally be more effective.
[Page 40]Should you be able to adopt the bolder step, there will be general gratitude and relief on the Continent, especially in France, but I realize, of course, that judgment as to the feasibility of such a step will depend upon the state of American public opinion.
Concerning possible resistance by Japan to American participation, suggesting such participation in deliberations of the Council might help to strengthen the resistance of the Japanese Foreign Minister to military influence.