793.94/4586: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 5—10:09 a.m.]
54. On reading over the record of our telephone conversation last night it has occurred to me to state to you a thought which I neglected to mention at that time. The plan comprised in the Council’s resolution of February 29 and the Assembly’s resolution of yesterday, both comprise the presence of Americans in every discussion. You may consider that this fact in itself is a safeguard for the prevention of unfair advantage being taken of the Chinese and I gather that Yen so considers it.
An idea has been discussed this morning as to the method of limiting the scope of the Conference called “round table” for want of a better name. It is suggested that the Ministers of the four principally interested powers in Shanghai should be requested to submit a proposed agenda for the conference after consultation with their Japanese colleague and the local Chinese authorities.
This would carry the advantage of an agenda prepared by those having intimate knowledge of local necessities and would be more carefully thought out and efficacious than would the result of a debate among the states of the Assembly.
Since discussion on this point may come up this afternoon I should appreciate being advised very urgently whether you consider such a plan useful and our cooperation therein feasible.