500.A15A4/1729: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson)
294. Your 540, February 23, 5 p.m. I concur with your preference to see Japan remain in the Disarmament Conference provided there is no possible danger of this being due to our initiative and against the wishes of the principal League powers. We have thus far carefully avoided making moves which might imply desire on our part to lead the League in matters connected with its Far Eastern problem. You must, therefore, be careful to avoid the possibility that any move of ours on the very day when the League is rendering its decision, might be construed as either lessening the force of the League’s condemnation, attempting to gain favor, or assuming a special responsibility. Subject to these limitations and to the full previous approval of at least Great Britain and France I give you a wide latitude of action.
[Page 19]In any event you must be particularly careful to give no ground for the impression of a possible rebuff to Japan at our hands if she decides to remain. It is important for you to avoid any expression on the part of the United States alone of either sympathy or antipathy toward Japan in the position in which she will stand after the action of the Assembly.
I assume that if Japan remains in the Conference she will remain in entire participation. To remain solely as a naval participant would be of much less importance.