793.94 Conference/255
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Ballantine) of a Conversation With the Counselor of the Japanese Embassy (Suma)
Mr. Suma called ostensibly on a minor routine matter but took occasion to offer various observations on the Sino-Japanese situation. Mr. Suma said that the Japanese had hoped that there would occur prior to the opening of the conference at Brussels certain developments in anticipation of the conference but these developments have not occurred, and that the conference meets tomorrow and may take some action involving proposals for an armistice or mediation or both. It would be unfortunate, he thought, if such action be taken as its effect would be both to stiffen Japanese public opinion and to encourage China to prolong the hostilities.
[Page 143]Mr. Ballantine said that he did not know what action the conference was likely to take and he presumed that the agenda and procedure of the conference would be decided upon by consultation among the parties present. He asked what line of procedure in Mr. Suma’s opinion would be most likely to produce useful results.
Mr. Suma said that so long as the conference had to be, the best thing it could now do would be to advise China to seek direct negotiation with Japan. He suggested that such advice could be communicated to the Chinese Government, for example, by our ambassador in China.
Mr. Ballantine observed that the Chinese Government might not feel that the announcements which have so far been made by Japanese spokesmen of the Japanese aims offered China much to hope for from an approach to the Japanese Government.
Mr. Suma said that he felt that if Japan should announce its readiness to come to terms with China it would be interpreted by China as a sign of weakness and encourage the national front movement in China to continue with anti-Japanese activities.
Mr. Ballantine said that he would discuss Mr. Suma’s view with other officers in the Department.
(Mr. Suma’s object in calling was evidently for the purpose of trying to get an idea of what this Government had in mind with reference to the conference. The developments to which Mr. Suma alluded as not having materialized may have referred to an anticipated decisive victory at Shanghai. Mr. Suma’s attitude is clearly in line with reports from our Embassy in Tokyo as to the Japanese attitude).