793.94/2949: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—12:20 p.m.]
817. From Ambassador Dawes: I had a call this morning from Sze who is still discussing at every opportunity the Chinese counterproposal’s time limit. The argument which I used with him, I think with some effect, was that if Sze is able to obtain proper confirmation of the press reports today of the Japanese Army’s removal to the east side of the Liao River, he should at once abandon pressing any further for a time-limit clause and should immediately announce the acceptance by China of the League’s settlement plan. By acting quickly in this way, and giving as his reason the actual movement of Japanese troops in withdrawal, Sze can, so far as the Chinese people are concerned, relegate to the academic the issue of a time limit and save his Government’s prestige at home.
Such action on the part of Sze would unquestionably stimulate the acquiescence of Japan in the League’s plan. The acquiescence of China in the League’s resolution, on the basis of an actual commencement [Page 589] of evacuation by Japanese troops, would make it much less likely for the Japanese to change their attitude unfavorably, since the withdrawals of troops made hitherto commit Japan more firmly in world opinion to Japan’s announced program of troop withdrawal. Japan would be stimulated by such Chinese action also to a more receptive attitude as regards certain details of the Council’s resolution which still are under discussion between the Japanese and the Council, thereby leading to a speedier agreement by all concerned.
These views were apparently accepted by Sze, but he wishes before acting to get confirmation of the reported evacuation to east of the Liao River of portions of the Japanese Army. He says it would greatly assist him if the neutral observers at present in Chinchow should confirm the news. If it could be made in accord with the facts, a public announcement by these observers might, I think, result in the immediate acquiescence of China. Would it not be well in this connection for you to send some suggestions to the American observer? An announcement jointly by the observers, or even by several of them, concerning the actual progress of the Japanese troop withdrawals could not but be welcome to both China and Japan. [Dawes.]