793.94 Commission/376a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Chairman of the American Delegation to the General Disarmament Conference (Gibson)
2. To Wilson. For your confidential information and general guidance in relation to the Manchuria question:
I note press reports to the effect that the League is looking to the American Government for “leadership”. If this is true, the adoption of such an attitude by the leaders in League activities should be discouraged. The initiative belongs with the League. The American Government still stands ready to cooperate. Standing on this Government’s notes of January 7 and the various statements of policy which I have made, and relying on the resolution of the Assembly of March 11,73 I hold the view that responsibility for formulating a course of action in the light of whatever may be the findings of the League Commission lies with the League under the provisions of its Covenant. I shall welcome suggestions from the League and will give them, if and when received, most sympathetic consideration. But the [Page 272] League should not expect the American Government to suggest what should be the League’s position and action. If the League, of which 56 states are members, suggests constructive steps, as I hope it will, it is altogether likely that the United States will cooperate. With regard to the problem of initiative and cooperation, I am now, even more firmly than then, of the opinion which was expressed in my telegram 64, October 5, 1931, 2 p.m.,74 second and third paragraphs.
Therefore, I desire that no encouragement be given by officers of this Government to any suggestion that the American Government will point the way for the League; and that, to the contrary, if and where that idea is enunciated in responsible circles, the suggestion be quietly and discreetly made to the enunciators that it is a much more logical and simple procedure for a group, having, under the leadership of its own members, come to a conclusion and committed itself to a given course of action, to ask a single other state to adopt the same conclusion and pursue a similar course of action than vice versa.
This is a delicate matter and I desire that, in carrying out the spirit of this instruction, you avoid giving the impression of speaking under express instruction. You should take no initiative but should take advantage of occasions which may offer unsolicited opportunities to discuss the subject in the sense and with the objective indicated above.
There is one point in particular in regard to which I feel that we should now and at all times take a positive, though not aggressive position. We should stand for strict adherence to the principle of non-recognition in reference to changes which have been brought about in Manchuria in impairment of our treaty rights and/or by means contrary to the Pact of Paris. Here, also, our best method of procedure will lie not in taking the initiative but in being on guard against and combatting any inclination or disposition which may become apparent on the part of any other powers to forget or to disregard its commitment, as carried in the League’s resolution of March 11, to that principle.
When Senator Reed calls, make sure that he reads this telegram.
Repeat as strictly confidential to London and Paris.