500.C001/1079: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 26—3 p.m.]
103. The following statement will be issued by the Secretary General80 to the press tomorrow:
“It is most regrettable that the League of Nations should have to part with one of its original members that has cooperated with it for nearly 15 years.
Now that the separation is an accomplished fact the legal bond of connection between Japan and the League ceased to exist. Japan has no longer any right or obligation as regards the League and it is therefore unhappily impossible for her to retain the position she has hitherto occupied in connection with the League.
We are, however, given to understand that the Japanese Government has the intention of pursuing a policy of international cooperation in the spirit of the ‘Imperial Rescript’ promulgated 2 years ago. Such an intention is a cause for great satisfaction. We cannot say what form it will take but for my part I am decided to do nothing that could prejudice the relations between Japan and the League. We cannot foretell the future and I do not think that we should abandon the hope of the League’s universality.”
The question naturally arises as to what extent the Secretary General in issuing such a statement is doing so on his own initiative or to what extent he is acting responsive to the policy of certain League states. In any event I am of the opinion that the reference to Japan’s “obligation as regards the League” will give rise to question and comment in various quarters.
- Joseph Avenol.↩