793.94/4492a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Wilson), at Geneva
Washington, February 28, 1932—5
p.m.
24. In view of delay in getting telephone connection, I am sending this to answer your questions of today by telephone. Provided that the suggestions which I made to you by telephone are acceptable, I think that the proposed program is satisfactory and you may proceed accordingly. For greater certainty, I repeat the amendments on which I insisted this morning.
- 1.
- That the civilian authorities shall be associated with the military authorities of the four powers at Shanghai. I wish to be sure that we are represented there by our Minister Johnson.
- 2.
- It must be carefully understood that we shall press for no conditions of the truce at Shanghai which are manifestly unfair to either side. In particular we must carefully avoid putting ourselves in the position of bringing pressure by the four powers upon the Chinese in favor of an arrangement specially benefiting either the Japanese or the other foreign powers. In particular I am afraid of the present language in Simon’s article 3 to the effect that the International and French Settlements must be preserved intact. This may be under [Page 472] stood by the Chinese as an attempt to foreclose extraterritorial negotiations in favor of the powers.
- 3.
- The reservation as to Manchuria must apply to the position previously taken by the Council of the League of Nations as well as that taken by any power.
- 4.
- Throughout these negotiations there must be no implication which will relieve the Assembly from the responsibility, if it chooses, of adopting a resolution whereby all nations undertake not to recognize solutions reached in this matter which are contrary to existing treaties.
- 5.
- I not only have no objection but should prefer to have your proposed letter associating us with the proposed démarche published.
Stimson