893.114 N 16 Manchuria/30: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Wilson), at Geneva
Washington, June 5,
1933—noon.
115. Your 197, June 2, 4 p.m.
- 1.
- It is the opinion of the Department that it would be highly inadvisable for the League to take the action indicated in paragraph 3 of your telegram as, in the light of the commitments made by the Assembly of the League of Nations in the report adopted on February 24th, “Manchukuo” does not fall in the category of “another country”, as contemplated in Article 18 of the 1925 Geneva Convention.
- 2.
- Aside from the above phase, which relates to the question of non-recognition of “Manchukuo”, it is also the opinion of the Department that the adoption of the procedure indicated would be contrary to the obvious duty of the powers signatory to the Geneva Agreement of 1925 under Article 6 of that Agreement.
- 3.
- As the American Government is not party to the Geneva Convention and the Agreement of 1925, it is suggested that you take no initiative in bringing to the attention of the Sub-Committee or of the Advisory Committee the views expressed above. However, in case you are approached on the subject, you are authorized to make, as on your own responsibility, observations along the lines indicated. Please also keep in mind Fuller’s observations as set forth in telegram No. 115, May 10, 3 p.m., from Geneva.
Phillips