793.94 Commission/624: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8—1:50 p.m.]
357. Representatives of the eight following countries spoke during the continuation this morning of the general discussion in the Special [Page 402] Assembly on the Sino-Japanese question: Turkey, Mexico, Canada, Panama, Chile, Rumania, Hungary and Australia.
While the speeches expressed for the most part generalities regarding the Covenant there was observable a distinct tendency to follow the lead given by the great powers in yesterday’s meeting in the urging of a settlement through conciliation. In particular Bruce, Australia, and Cahan, Canada, asked for caution in applying the machinery of the Covenant, mentioning in this connection the anomalous situation arising from China’s disunited condition. In a reference to the recommendations of the Lytton report regarding a procedure for the adjustment of future differences the latter speaker proposed the creation of a permanent joint international commission such as that having jurisdiction in disputes between Canada and the United States.
In terms of varying definiteness as regards mention of the United States and Russia the representatives of the following states referred to the utility of inviting non-member states to cooperate with whatever committee the Assembly may name to study the possibilities of a solution: Turkey, Canada, Chile and Australia.