793.94 Commission/380: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Mellon) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 14—8:50 a.m.]
262. From Senator Reed.
“In company with Ambassador Mellon I talked at length with MacDonald and Simon Tuesday afternoon.55 As in the case of Herriot they have been so much concerned over the German situation that they have given comparatively little thought to Manchuria. Japanese threats to withdraw from the League are rendered more serious in their minds by similar although unconnected threats by Germany and Italy. They say they have no information from Lytton or anyone else about the contents of the report of the Commission. They agree that the report cannot and should not be kept from publication after it has once been delivered to the Assembly. They feel that if Japan asks an extension of time to enable her to prepare an answer that it should be granted. They would use their influence to prevent an [Page 245] abrupt judgment against Japan if such action should be urged by the small nations. They feel that Japanese control in Manchuria cannot be complete with the comparatively small force that she now has there and that the increasing economic difficulties of Japan will soon compel her to come to terms with China unless Japanese sentiment is excited by undue severity shown her at Geneva. At the same time Simon appears to be worried by the reports that have come to him from British military officers at Peiping about unusual activity and peculiar maneuvers of Japanese forces stationed there. He feels that this may portend southward extension of their operations. He was curious to know what information we have had on this point. Having no information from this quarter I could not answer helpfully.”
- September 13.↩