793.94 Advisory Committee/5: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 26—8:25 p.m.]
131. I have delivered to Drummond the letter contained in your 78, February 25, 6 p.m.33 He gave it immediate publicity.
As I read your reply to Drummond, we have neither “associated the Government of the United States” with the views expressed in the Assembly’s report although we declare Ourselves to be in substantial [Page 211] accord therewith nor have we stated that we would “concert our action and attitude if necessary”. It has occurred to me that this may be because of a part of the Assembly’s report which gives me some concern. Although you have doubtless considered it I venture to raise it again. It would appear from a reading of chapter 9 of the Lytton Report that the first 9 points or as the report describes “conditions of a satisfactory solution” are predicated on the carrying out of the 10th point. To reverse the phraseology the 10th point would appear to be a condition precedent to the other points and the keystone of the whole structure which these 10 principles would erect for the solution of the Sino-Japanese problem.
My apprehension is lest the governments who have voted for the report or who may “associate” themselves with the report or who may agree to “cooperate with the Advisory Committee” assume a certain obligation to engage in the internal reconstruction of China.
The invitation to “cooperate” with the Advisory Committee (transmitted in my 128, February 25, 4 p.m.)34 is now before you and I have ventured to bring the foregoing thoughts to your consideration in connection with your reply to this invitation.