Copy
(F.5038/78/10).
TO SWITZERLAND.
Cypher telegram to United Kingdom Delegation (Geneva).
Foreign Office.12th May, 1938. 5.0 p.m.
No.29.L.N.
301
川
IMPORTANT.
Your telegram No.19 (of 11th May: action by League Council in connexion with Sino-Japanese conflict).
Chinese Government have never been permitted by us to
entertain any hopes of imposition of sanctions against Japan.
As regards the detailed measures put forward by Dr.Koo our
views are as follows:
(1) We agree that this may irritate Japan without having
any practical value but it is no doubt put forward to give
China "face" and we see no great harm in it.
(2) I see no objection to our concurring. You will no doubt
remember that we took up with M.Léger during recent visit of
French Ministers question of transit of arms through Indo-China.
M.Léger said that transit of war material through Indo-China
was absolutely prohibited and made it clear that there was no
chance of French Government reversing their policy. French
Government apparently take no account of League resolutions nor
Chinese complaints.
(3) I agree that we might concur in a properly worded
anti-gas resolution. I see no objection to our saying that we
are prepared to authorise our Military Attaché in China to
receive and examine any information or reports regarding the use
of gas.
Page 300Page 301
Copy.