793.94/4469: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 29—9:05 a.m.]
45. In view of situation outlined in my 44, February 29, 1 p.m.,20 of which Simon thinks Matsudaira has knowledge, it is desired by Simon and Drummond slightly to alter phraseology of the proposal to be made by the President of the Council in respect only of paragraph 3.
It is proposed that that [sic] point 2 shall become point 1, point 3 shall become point 2, and that then follows a paragraph in which the Council welcomes the news of negotiations which are proceeding for the immediate cessation of hostilities, offers assistance if desired of civilian, military and naval authorities of interested powers to consolidate the arrangements.
Drummond and Simon are now very anxious to hold the Council meeting late this afternoon and are now seeing Matsudaira for this purpose. I shall, therefore, feel obliged to telephone you as soon after 10 o’clock, Washington time, as I can reach you in order to lay before you the proposed text of the new point 3. The other procedure remains as already agreed upon. We believe here as do Drummond and Sir John that the changed phraseology will not affect the situation except perhaps for the better and that the whole arrangement should stand.
We believe, as we feel sure you will, that advantage should be taken of this matter as urgently as possible but before giving final approval we hope to hear from you.
- Not printed; same information in more detail given in telegram of February 29, 2 p.m., from Shanghai, supra.↩