793.94/2785a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in France (Shaw)
584. For Ambassador Dawes: Tonight’s press despatches report a probable agreement on a commission of neutral investigators pending an armistice, with both China and Japan agreeing to the whole plan. It is reported also that the presence of an American probably will be suggested. Should these reports be true, the objection which I mentioned in telephoning you to having an American sit on a commission acting purely under the League’s authority and against the opposition of one of the parties would not apply, and both President Hoover and I are inclined to feel that American membership might be very desirable. I shall, of course, want to know the details, the scope of the commission’s activities, the terms of reference, and any reservations which any party may make before deciding to participate.