Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Seán Lester (Geneva)
(Copy)

I am directed by the Minister to refer to your note S.7/11/16 of the 26th October,¹ and to previous notes, on the subject of the dispute between China and Japan arising out of recent events in Manchuria.

The Minister feels that, on the whole, the Council has so far managed to survive the very serious challenge to its prestige, if not to its existence, constituted by Japan's more or less open refusal to accept the Council's conciliatory action under Article 11 of the Covenant. He also feels that if the session of the Council which has just ended, is followed by a détente in Sino-Japanese relations, the prestige and authority of the Council will ultimately prove to have been increased rather than diminished as a result of the whole affair. Of course, it seems very unlikely, from the present developments in Manchuria, as reported in the Press, that the affair has yet reached a stage on which the League can congratulate itself.

The Minister is in entire agreement with the general line of action adopted by you, and directs that you should be informed that he fully approves of the attitude adopted by you on the occasions on which you considered it desirable to intervene. The Minister especially approves of the statement made by you on the subject of the 'Committee of Five' and is very glad that so important a principle as the equality of the States Members of the Council has thereby been so satisfactorily safeguarded.