765.84/4786: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 6—2:50 p.m.]
291. 1. The Coordination Committee today adopted a resolution proposing the abrogation by governments on July 15 of “the restrictive measures taken by them in conformity with its proposals 1–A, 2, 2–A, 3, 4, and 4–B”.7
It will be noted that the foregoing resolution makes no provision for the termination of Coordination Committee proposal 5 dealing with the organization of mutual support. While not mentioned by the Committee, I learn on good authority that this course was followed as a form of compliance with a demand of the neutral states for a specific resolution binding members to mutual support in resisting any Italian discrimination following the lifting of sanctions (Consulate’s 253, June 26, 4 p.m., paragraph 1). The demand of these states for fixed date in order that the lifting of sanctions might be simultaneous was however fully accomplished.
2. A joint French and British resolution suggesting that governments furnish the Secretariat before October 31 technical information respecting their experience in applying sanctions and to appoint experts to serve on a committee to study this documentation was also adopted.8 The motivation for such a resolution at the time and the reason for the date chosen are not yet clear.
3. The Argentine delegate asserted that sanctions should be lifted which were applied under article 16. There was, however, the question of applying article 10 and it would be for the Council to consider what should be done. He referred to the nonrecognition of Manchukuo and expressing regret that the Assembly had not voted on the Ethiopian resolution respecting nonrecognition indicated that Argentina would have voted yes. He was strongly supported by Bolivia. Haiti declared that they did not intend to recognize the acquisition of territory by force. That the Argentine statement was [Page 186] outside the competence of the Committee and that the Assembly had already passed on the question was stated by a number of speakers who at the same time made it clear that in voting for raising sanctions they were not taking any position on other questions.
The Argentine Minister tells me in confidence that he received instructions to take this position only this morning. He added that he personally found them exceedingly embarrassing. I gathered that Buenos Aires had not been “satisfied” with the results obtained in the Assembly and today’s action is generally considered here as demonstrating Argentina’s defeat in the Assembly.