793.94 Commission/273: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 24—6:08 p.m.]
98. I am informed that at secret meeting of the Nineteen this afternoon it was decided to send a letter to the Japanese and Chinese which has now been despatched pointing out that as the report of the Lytton Commission, which is one of the essential elements for the Assembly report, will not be received before September 15th it will now be necessary to prolong the period of 6 months prescribed under article 12 of the Covenant. The letter points out that this is an exceptional measure due to the special circumstances and that it is not meant to unduly delay the Assembly’s action. The Committee intends in any case to begin its examination of the report before the 1st of November.
The letter also expresses the hope that the engagement taken by both parties in the resolutions of September 30th and December 10th to take no action to aggravate the situation will be scrupulously observed.
The paragraph referred to immediately above was inserted because of a recent Chinese communication regarding the recognition of the Manchukuo government. The Committee felt that it would only run the danger of defeating its own purpose if it made a more specific reference to this matter which might inflame Japanese public opinion.
Both parties are asked to notify their acceptance of this prolongation and the acceptance of both has been informally ascertained in advance.
[Page 108]Should no difficulties intervene a plenary assembly will be held on Wednesday71 to ratify this action.
- June 29.↩