793.94/2759: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 19—12:50 a.m.]
763. From Ambassador Dawes: Sweetser reported the private meeting of the 12 members of the Council excluding the parties called this morning at 11 a.m. and lasting 2 hours as follows:
“Briand today presented to the Council the informal suggestions made yesterday by Yoshizawa containing three points: (1) Direct negotiations between Japan and China for the safety of Japanese nationals in the light of the five points; (2) the despatch of a commission named by the League to consider the whole situation between Japan and China especially in Manchuria and as regards the boycott; and (3) the keeping of the League informed of details.
Briand suggested that the best course would be to learn from the Japanese exactly what they meant by treaty rights and from the Chinese exactly what they are willing to give.
Thereupon a decided difference of approach developed amongst the various members of the Council. Briand was evidently groping around to find the smallest possible opportunity for starting negotiations which he hoped might gradually be built up into a general acceptance [Page 481] agreement. He recalled that while there were undoubtedly hostilities, still war had been averted by the League and cited the fact that once before in the dispute between Poland and Lithuania, Lithuania had declared a state of war during whole year’s time before final solution was reached. He urged that the League exhaust every possible avenue of conciliation and then if in the end it failed he for his part was willing as he twice reiterated to go ‘absolutely to the limit’. The other approach was stated by Simon who began ‘While we are sitting in private session here events are moving in Manchuria which may be stronger than words.’ The press speaks of ‘positive action’ by Japan; it is well known that an ultimatum has been delivered to General Ma. While the Council is justified in taking time to get word from Yoshizawa it must envisage the possibilities of very serious consequences. He was not at all contented as to the scope of the Japanese proposals; for instance whether a commitment could be sent irrespective of agreement on the first point; nor had the Council ever been able to get from Japan a clear idea of what the fifth point meant. He stressed the fact that his Government was very anxious to support the League. If he had to choose on the one hand between long and uncertain negotiations which might or might not come to a result but which would give the appearance of the abandonment of the League’s principles of solution and on the other going squarely and openly on the records to support the principles of the League even if unsuccessful he would for his part choose the latter. He hesitated about getting involved step by step in endless discussions which might weaken all that the League stands for.
A detailed discussion then ensued among various other members of the Council on Briand’s proposal of inviting Japan and China to come before them this afternoon to explain their views. It was arranged to see Mr. Yoshizawa at 4 o’clock and Dr. Sze at 5.”
- [Dawes]
- Shaw