793.94 Conference/342
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Japanese Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Yoshida)17
My Dear Mr. Yoshida: It was a source of disappointment to me not to be able to see you yesterday, but I was under strict doctor’s orders. Mr. Moffat, however, gave me a very full account of his interesting talk with you and I feel that I have a clear picture of the situation as you see it as well as the chances of a possible successful [Page 236] mediation by Great Britain or the United States acting either jointly or individually. I am sorry that the Japanese Government declined the two invitations to cooperate in our work at Brussels, as the purpose was definitely to be helpful and to bring about a peaceful settlement by agreement. The real crux of the difficulty throughout seems to be that the Japanese Government still desires to maintain the thesis that this is a matter that concerns only Japan and China, and that at least in its early stages it should be dealt with by direct negotiations between Japan and China. On the other hand, the powers with treaty rights and interests which are affected by the Sino-Japanese conflict are unable as a matter of principle to accept this thesis. Judging by past experience, they are unable to believe that it is possible for Japan and China to compose their differences and to reach a constructive settlement on a just and mutually satisfactory basis by themselves alone. Furthermore, it would seem that China is opposed to direct negotiation. As you realize, China and Japan have been trying for some years through direct negotiations to compose their differences in a peaceful way but armed conflict ensued which created a situation in which the rights and interests of other powers became directly involved. I realize to the full the local preoccupations of your Government in desiring only direct negotiations, but the importance of a combined effort is so vital that I hope that those who feel as you do will not hesitate to emphasize and re-emphasize it.
It is a comfort to know that you and many who think like you are actively working for peace. My own interests in this same problem will not flag and as soon as I reach Washington I am going to canvass the situation anew with my Government.
Very sincerely yours,
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Chairman of the American delegation in his covering letter of December 16.↩