793.94/13917: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 20—11:07 a.m.]
610. 1. No authoritative Japanese comment on the action of the Council of the League in inviting Japan to accept the obligations of members in settling its dispute with China is available. There is unanimous expectation that the Cabinet, which will probably meet tomorrow, will decide to reject the invitation.
2. Reports of the action by the League have not been prominently displayed. First impressions here are that economic sanctions will not, in the anticipated event of Japan’s refusal, be carried out and that the action under reference is primarily a gesture calculated to mollify China.
Repeated to Hong Kong for Chungking.