793.94 Commission/340
Memorandum by the Minister in China (Johnson)9
Dr. Blakeslee came and we discussed the memorandum of the interview of the Commission with Count Uchida. Dr. Blakeslee stated that he understood (though the memorandum did not so indicate) that Count Uchida had been much impressed by Lord Lytton’s argument in the course of the second interview, and seemed inclined to waver in his expression of the determination to carry out their plan of recognition.
I stated to Dr. Blakeslee that my horseback judgment at the moment was in favor of an interim report. I pointed out that we all knew what the Japanese intended to do. There was some question in our minds as to what value to set upon the strength of liberal opinion in Japan at this present time, and the possible effect of that liberal opinion upon probable Japanese policy vis-à-vis Manchukuo. Personally I did not know just what value to set upon that opinion; I was not inclined to give it a very high rating.
I pointed out that the Commission now has very definite, frank and straightforward knowledge of what Japan intends to do, given to it by the Foreign Minister in words of one syllable; and that the Commission might perhaps be charged with negligence if it were not at the present time to communicate that information to the League and to the world, in time to permit the League and the world to do something if it wished; for it is possible that if the Commission delays [Page 178] Japan will recognize Manchukuo and it may then be considered too late for the world to act upon this knowledge.
We discussed the matter at some length, Dr. Blakeslee informing me of conversations which he had had with liberal folk in Japan which indicated that there was an undercurrent opposing the Government’s policy, but, so far as I could make out, not advocating anything very helpful.
We then discussed the arguments against the making of an interim report. It seems a foregone conclusion that an interim report, with all of the publicity which would be attendant thereon, would precipitate action by the Japanese, with the result that the recognition of Manchukuo might thus come about sooner than would be the case under other circumstances.
After all, what difference is it to the League what action Japan takes in regard to Manchukuo? The Commission was organized and sent out to make an investigation at the request of the Japanese members of the League. The Commission should continue the investigation that it was sent out to make, and unhurriedly considering the data which has been laid before it, reach such conclusions as that data might lead to. The Japanese know when the Commission is expected to make its report to the League. The world itself will be able to judge whether the Japanese are guilty or not guilty if they take action prior to that time.
I finally concluded that, on the whole, I thought perhaps it would be better not to make an interim report which after all could only be a part of the report; but that the Commission should proceed as it had started out, and at the appointed time transmit to the League its considered report in its entirety, so that the world could judge just where the fault lay.
I added that perhaps it might be well for the Commission to send by confidential telegram to Drummond a report of the discussion which the Commission had had with Uchida.
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in his despatch No. 1678, August 4, 1932; received August 29.↩