793.94/2708: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6 p.m.]
744. From Ambassador Dawes: Drummond was my first caller this morning. Since last night he had been furnished with the prepared speeches which Sze and Yoshizawa expected to make this afternoon; these speeches are now in Briand’s hands. As a matter of strictly confidential information to you, and not available here to others, Yoshizawa’s speech was prepared in Tokyo by the Japanese Government and cabled to him here. Last night Matsudaira received a copy and this morning brought it to me; I shall comment upon it below. Sze’s speech, which he sent to me, is chiefly a recountal of Chinese grievances.
After reading the two speeches, Drummond still thought the wise procedure would be to have no speeches save Briand’s opening one at this time, followed by an adjournment subject to the Chairman’s call. However, as these speeches are not intended to end discussion of vital points or as ultimata, Briand may decide to permit them to be read.
[Page 458]Nothing can for the moment stop the Japanese and Chinese military-operations which, on account of the superior equipment and discipline of the Japanese troops, are likely in perhaps 2 or 3 days to reach a stabilized position favorable to the latter. A successful military stabilization of the temporary Japanese troop locations should satisfy the extreme military element in Japan for the moment, thus making it easier in respect of public sentiment there for the Japanese Government to try to meet the League’s suggestions for a proper and eventual solution. They would probably in this event go further in conciliation than they have in the speech prepared for Yoshizawa to deliver this afternoon.
Drummond said that up to this time it is in general the feeling of the Council, subject to changing conditions, that in their eventual recommendation should be included a suggestion that the two disputants agree upon two separate committees, one to consider the question of Japanese safety and evacuation of Japanese troops and the other the five points of Japan, and also the suggestion that the latter committee’s decision should not be a necessary precedent to solving the personnel and evacuation question.
In the process of dictating the foregoing, I received a telephone call from Sir John Simon who asked me if I could see him at 3 p.m. at the British Embassy. I shall try to keep you informed up to the minute of progress.
The next paragraph is a paraphrase which I dictated of the most important part of Yoshizawa’s speech prepared in Tokyo. Matsudaira listened and approved my paraphrase, but did not want the exact words of the speech cabled by me. Here is my paraphrase:30
“The idea of Japan is that she is willing to recall her forces if satisfied that the five fundamental principles advanced by her are substantially observed in practice in the districts where those forces are at present stationed. Japan feels that the efforts of the local committees appointed to preserve the peace, which were mentioned in Forbes’ despatch and were organized by resident Chinese, indicate that this is a proper method for securing the result which Japan desires in the way of troop withdrawal. Japan feels that because she has acted from necessity for the protection of Japanese life in Manchuria no one should feel that her constant desire for sincere friendship between China and Japan has weakened. Japan desires ‘not one foot of Chinese territory’ and realizes sympathetically the difficulties which confront China. The safety of their fellow countrymen and the preservation of what they consider their just and agreed-upon rights Japan looks upon an object of duty.”
- [Dawes.]
- Shaw
- Following paragraph not reparaphrased.↩