793.94 Commission/762: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 23—5:15 p.m.]
85. My 84, January 21, 9 p.m. The following is a summary of Sweetser’s strictly confidential memorandum covering this morning’s discussions in the Committee of Nineteen.
At the opening of the meeting Hymans reported his conversations with Yen and Matsuoka following the Committee’s decision on Saturday.46 The latter had said that the omission of the invitations to nonmember states should not be considered as a concession to Japan but only as an action which the Committee itself ought to take for juridical reasons. He then asked what the Committee considered the essential points of difference to which Hymans had replied the complete acceptance of chapter 9 and the maintenance of the nonrecognition [policy].
Matsuoka had answered that Japan had shown it would never be willing to withdraw from its position on recognition. When it was pointed out that this view was not in accord with the acceptance of all the principle[s] in chapter 9, Matsuoka explained that this was the reason why Japan had described them only as a suitable basis and not the basis for conciliation. The result, as he explained, might be that Japan would have to withdraw, which he personally would deplore. Hymans also expressed his regret but explained that conciliation was still open.
Following this explanation a complex discussion ensued as to the form the Assembly’s report under paragraph 4 of article 15 should [Page 122] take. It was generally agreed that three broad subjects would have to be covered:
- 1.
- Failure of conciliation.
- 2.
- The development of the dispute both in Geneva and the Far East, and,
- 3.
- Recommendations.
The principal difference of opinion as to the method of presentation seemed to be that insofar as the facts of the dispute were concerned the British delegation urged an out-and-out acceptance of the Lytton Report without restating the history of the case. Most of the other members of the Committee apparently felt that the mere adoption of another document would be insufficient for such an important report. The Assembly would be bound both by the terms of the Covenant and by world opinion to give a detailed statement.
The difficulties involved in the preparation of the report were of such a nature that the Committee determined to entrust their study to a small committee which should consist of Hymans and representatives of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Czechoslovakia.
This drafting committee will endeavor to meet as often as possible during the present week but will find great difficulty in arranging its sessions because of the meetings of the Council, the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference and other important committees.
- January 21.↩