793.94/2690: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:50 p.m.]
742. From Ambassador Dawes: This evening Matsudaira came from the train to tell me of the increasingly dangerous state of Japanese public sentiment. He has cabled his Government in an effort to have the Japanese position moderated from that previously presented by Yoshizawa to the League, and tonight he informs me that because of conditions in Japan he feared his recommendations might not be favored by the Japanese Government. Matsudaira also expressed a fear that at tomorrow’s Council meeting, if at that time no favorable reply has been received to his despatch to the Tokyo Government, Yoshizawa might make a restatement of the former Japanese position in case there is any general discussion. Matsudaira came to tell me of this critical situation prior to seeing Yoshizawa, with whom he is now conferring.
Realizing the danger of a discussion at the first League meeting tomorrow while the Japanese Government’s attitude remains unsettled, I am, with the concurrence and cooperation of Matsudaira, placing this specific situation before the men who should be able to control the course of the first session. I have talked by telephone already with Simon, who has just arrived, and he at once realized the critical state of affairs and will see Briand immediately after his return tomorrow to his office from the country. Simon will urge Briand to make the first session, set for tomorrow afternoon, purely perfunctory, short, and without discussion. I arranged also for Matsudaira and Simon to meet in the morning. Massigli, who represents Briand and is working with him, had arranged to call again at 10:30 this evening to hear what Matsudaira had to report. Thus I will be enabled, to be additionally sure through Massigli that Briand is fully apprised of the situation prior to the meeting. I therefore think the immediate danger feared by Matsudaira can be obviated for the present.
[Page 451]I now feel that it will be unwise of the Council to hold any meeting for real discussion of the situation in the next few days. The success or failure of this conference may depend upon the prior settlement of this new situation involving Japan as developed tonight.
Matsudaira probably will report tonight on his interview with Yoshizawa. [Dawes.]