793.94 Commission/642: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:25 p.m.]
64. The Committee of Nineteen met in private secret session this afternoon. Sweetser informs me that in the debate the lines were [Page 415] drawn about as we might have anticipated, the representatives of the large powers laying emphasis on conciliation and those of the smaller powers primarily on finding a basis for conciliation which would be consistent with the terms of the Covenant. Simon in particular emphasized conciliation and pointed out incompatibility of this thought with too narrow limitations on the terms of reference.
A committee composed of Simon, Zulueta, Huber, Beneš, Carton de Wiart representing Hymans and Massigli was appointed to endeavor to draft recommendations. In the meeting of this subcommittee which followed immediately the meeting of the Committee of Nineteen, Drummond suggested certain texts which the subcommittee will consider and which they will discuss at a meeting tomorrow morning.
The texts comprise three parts:
- 1.
- An exposé of the facts of the situation including the high points of the Lytton report.
- 2.
- A declaration of the states other than the parties to the dispute that they accept the first eight chapters of the Lytton report, that a settlement must be in conformity with the existing treaties and that “they consider the dispute may be properly settled neither by return of status quo prior to September 1931 nor by maintenance of existing regime in Manchuria, which has no title to be considered by them as an independent state, or to receive from them recognition or support.”
- 3.
- A resolution of the Assembly to be voted by all states members of the League authorizing the Committee of Nineteen to invite the United States and Russia to cooperate in the work of the Committee, as well as the parties to the dispute. In addition the resolution contains the recommendation to continue the work of conciliation.