793.94 Commission/271: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
696. Legation’s 685, June 22, 11 a.m.,63 informed the Department of delay in the plans of the League Commission of Inquiry. Their [Page 99] original plan had been to occupy themselves here in the discussion of various ideas for the solution of Manchurian question between China and Japan. Originally there had been some hope in the Commission that it might be possible to bring about the preliminaries to negotiations for a settlement of the issues through the Chinese and Japanese assessors but I have been told that any hope of this disappeared because the Japanese assessor has at all times apparently been afraid to take any action in the presence of the truculent attitude of insurgent Japanese diplomatic and military authorities.
It is my understanding that Lord Lytton hopes when Commission visits Japan to be able to lay before Japanese for informal consideration a number of ideas which might be used as a basis for a suggested solution of the problem in Manchuria with a view to testing Japanese feeling.
Commission had intended to leave here today but was informed 1 or 2 days ago by the Japanese Government that it would be unwelcome in Tokyo until after July 7th. No explanation was given but I assume that Tokyo’s 161, June 20, noon, explains the reason why Japanese Government did not desire Commission to visit Tokyo at this time.
I am of the opinion that it will be a mistake for the Commission to offer formally, in connection with its report to the League, any suggestion as to a settlement of the issues between China and Japan in Manchuria. It has been my feeling that the important question has been for the Commission to determine upon and include in its report the facts which produced the issues between the two countries. It is my belief that the Commission should state clearly for all to read the policies which have been adopted and pursued by China and Japan in dealing with these facts, showing wherein those policies have been contrary to or incompatible with international agreements setting up machinery for dealing with such situations. The character of the issues at stake, the facts relating thereto and the methods used by the parties to the issues are of most solemn importance to the peoples of the world who have been interested in the setting up of machinery for dealing amicably with such issues. It is my belief that these facts and issues will be forgotten in any controversy which will arise over any suggestions which the Commission may make for a settlement.
Repeated to Tokyo.