793.94 Conference/76: Telegram
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Benton) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 21—10:55 a.m.]
90. At the weekly diplomatic reception yesterday Foreign Minister Patijn informed me that the Netherlands has decided to accept the invitation to the Nine Power Conference at Brussels. He expressed his Government’s great interest in, and hope for a successful outcome of, the Conference adding, however, that personally he was not particularly optimistic that anything concrete would result.
[Page 97]Continuing Patijn observed that no decision had yet been reached with regard to the policy his Government would pursue at the [Conference]. He explained that in the last analysis its policy would have to be determined by events but that the Netherlands might be expected wholeheartedly to support any measures adopted by the interested powers with a view to easing the tension in the Far East provided such measures do not tend to involve this country too deeply. He appeared to be definitely against the use of coercive measures and to favor mediation as a possible solution although he made it clear that in his opinion the latter course if attempted would not stand a particularly good chance of success due to the absence of Japan from the Conference and the supporting attitude that Italy may be expected to give that country.
I gain the distinct impression from what Patijn and other officials have told me that this Government desires to play as inconspicuous a role as possible at the Conference in view of its exposed position in the Far East and its consequent desire to do nothing that might tend to irritate Japan unduly.
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