793.94/4109: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the American Delegation to the General Disarmament Conference (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 10—8:09 p.m.]
20. I have discussed with Senator Swanson, Davis and Wilson the situation which now exists in Geneva regarding the Far Eastern difficulties, a situation which is giving us concern.
[Page 274]You will note that Simon has been presenting at the private meetings of the Twelve1 both the views of the British Government and to some extent endeavoring to reflect the views of the American Government. And now in private conversations he is also endeavoring to interpret your views. I hasten to add that so far as we are informed his presentation has been both friendly and accurate and it is only natural that in default of more direct information the members of the Council should turn to Simon in view of the joint effort of the two powers. This they will be more prone to do as today’s papers contain a Washington despatch that you and he were in direct telephone conversation yesterday on the Far Eastern situation.
There is indication that some of the powers are taking the position that action by Great Britain and ourselves has relieved the Council of responsibility and that action on its part is now unnecessary and would be useless. They point to the fact that whereas in September Wilson, and later Gilbert, kept Drummond in constant touch with your views this has since been changed and that since the resumption of work in Geneva in January little or no indication of American views has been received from American sources. In other words that direct contact and cooperation with America has ceased. It is a short step from this attitude to a complete shirking of this thorny question on the ground that the United States had undertaken the settlement.
We assume that you and Great Britain would in any event desire the support of the Council for whatever action is taken. To this end we think it important that the procedure of September be resumed of keeping the Council members informed of your action and views. We do not see how this could lessen the cooperation which you have established with Great Britain and it would have the additional advantage of reducing to a minimum possibilities of misunderstanding and efforts on the part of individual members to throw upon us the onus of their failure.
In the light of this constantly changing situation as we see it here we strongly recommend that direct contact through Wilson with the Council members or with Drummond be resumed and maintained in such form as you may deem feasible.
The matter is of considerable importance as the second report of the Shanghai Commission2 is expected tonight and presumably the Council will have to act on this report within the next few days.