793.94/4633: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 8—5:27 p.m.]
64. This afternoon’s session of the Assembly concluded the general discussion.68 There was a series of speeches of no particular value save that of Te Water, South Africa delegate, who concluded by a blunt statement as to the need for leadership and an inquiry as to whether the representatives of the great powers felt they have given such leadership. At the conclusion of the general discussion Yen renewed the appeal he had made to the Assembly on its convening and Sato replied in the most conciliatory language he has yet used welcoming on behalf of Japan the efforts of the League and of the United States to bring about a solution of the present problem and reaffirming the faith of Japan in the Covenant and the Pact.
Beneš then proposed that a drafting committee be set up composed of the Bureau of the Assembly, together with the authors of any proposed resolutions, to meet tomorrow afternoon. This means that [Page 533] Sir John Simon’s proposal referred to in my 61, March 7, 9 p.m., will come before the drafting committee before being brought out in the Assembly. It will, however, be his effort to keep it entirely free from any other proposals.
It seems obvious that there is considerable apprehension among the smaller nations because of their fear lest the great powers in their desire to avoid definite action insist on setting up a small committee for the ostensible purpose of carrying on the work but for the real purpose of dismissing the Assembly without taking any definite action. There are various plans under consideration for the setting up of some committee of this sort but any such proposal is bound to encounter serious opposition from the smaller nations.
- See League of Nations, Official Journal, Special Supplement No. 101, vol. i, pp. 68–80.↩