Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1937, The Far East, Volume IV

793.94/10462: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State

Geneva, October 6, 1937—10 p.m.
[Received October 6—6:22 p.m.]

35. Reference my telegram No. 25, October 4, 8 p.m.

1. After Cranborne presented his proposal respecting consultation between parties to the Washington Treaty and other states with special interests there was a brief rest. During that interval Cranborne spoke to me privately and expressed regret that there had been no time to consult you regarding his proposal. He had been faced with Koo’s insistence for action under article 10 and this had seemed to be the best way out. He hoped that the course pursued would cause you no embarrassment as this was particularly desired by Eden. He asked me what I thought your reaction would be to such an invitation. I replied that I could give him no assurance on that point, that the line of action we have pursued should be described as parallel rather than joint. I made the same reply privately to a similar question from Lagarde who sat next to me during the meeting.

2. I learned this afternoon from a usually well-informed source that at this time the following three factors in the situation are causing principal concern to the Japanese Government: (1) The action concluded here today, (2) the gradual exhaustion of Japanese military and naval material and reserves, and, (3) particularly whether China would be able to continue to obtain oil supplies.

Harrison