793.94 Commission/740: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Mellon) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 16—2:45 p.m.]
14. In conversation today Vansittart referred to Sir John Simon’s recent conversation with Matsudaira4 (see my 8, January 13, 9 p.m.). Vansittart said Simon discussed the Committee of Conciliation which it was contemplated the League Committee of Nineteen might appoint and to which the Japanese Government refused its acceptance because of the proposed inclusion of an American and a Soviet representative. Towards the close of the conversation Simon asked Matsudaira if the Japanese Government would withdraw its objection to the formation of this Committee of Conciliation if the inclusion of a Soviet and a United States representative were not made a sine qua non.
Matsudaira, somewhat embarrassed, replied that even if a Soviet and a United States representative were not sought, even then the Japanese Government would not accept. Vansittart stated he informed me of this in view of the possible rumors from Japanese sources that the British Government did not desire United States membership on the proposed Committee of Conciliation which he took pains to assure me was quite contrary to fact.
Vansittart further stated that Foreign Office had no information as to the proposed formula of conciliation which press reports today Drummond has prepared and anticipates may be acceptable both to Nanking and Tokyo.
- Tsuneo Matsudaira, Japanese Ambassador to Great Britain.↩