793.94 Commission/641: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12—2:40 p.m.]
62. From Davis and Wilson. Drummond informed Wilson very confidentially this morning that Sugimura, Japanese Undersecretary [Page 414] of the Secretariat, informed Drummond that a telegram had just been received from the Japanese Chargé d’Affaires in Washington which reported a conversation with Castle. The Chargé d’Affaires reported Castle as stating that it was doubtful whether the United States would accept an invitation to participate in the work of the Committee of Nineteen even if we are invited; if the Japanese were agreeable to our participation we might consider the matter favorably but that it was still doubtful whether we would accept membership on a League Committee. In view of the expression of your views in your telegram 48, December 9, 6 p.m., we feel that there must have been some misunderstanding in reporting this here.
The situation seems to be shaping in a way which will be consonant with your views in the last few days but it seems unnecessary to speculate on the action of the Committee of Nineteen in view of the fact that we can report facts within a couple of days.