officials. In brief, these purposes and aims were that the program
of technical assistance to China would serve to keep alive an interest
in China in the western world in a psychological sense and also a
practical interest through developments in finance and trade. The
result sought was that these activities would serve the end of develop-
ing progressive diplomatic support for China in the international
field with a consequent strengthening of the international and national
position of China's central government.
  In respect of this, I must report that there was no hint of any
such League purpose in my conversations with Mr. Avenol and with
Mr. Haas. In fact, quite the contrary was the case. The whole
atmosphere of the conversations was almost precisely that which Mr.
Avenol had displayed to me in a previous conversation on this subject
before Dr. Rajchman returned to Geneva, a conversation which I
reported in my telegram No. 61 dated April 28, 11 a. m;88 I cannot
express too strongly my impression of a decided intent to denude this
League endeavor, insofar as may be possible, of any political con-
notations which might be offensive to Japan or embarrassing to any
important government, notably perhaps the British. I may add,
however, that this policy possesses a decidedly reasonable basis in
that the plan of technical assistance was placed in effect before the
Sino-Japanese conflict, which latter indeed gave it the political signi-
ficance which it possesses in the eyes of Japan.
  As related to the questions which I have discussed above, I may add
that I inquired of Mr. Haas what progress Dr. Rajchman had made
in his conversations with various European governments. It may
be recalled that I stated in my despatch under reference that at that
time Dr. Rajchman was on the point of leaving Geneva to visit a
number of European capitals for the purpose of ascertaining to what
extent they were prepared to support the League projects for assist-
ance to China and that he had the intention of pointing out to these
governments the advantages which might accrue to them in the field
of trade should the position of the Chinese Government be strength-
ened. In reply to my inquiry Mr. Haas told me that Dr. Rajchman
had visited only a very few capitals and that he had made no particu-
lar progress. From what I know of the situation here, I am inclined
to believe that Dr. Rajchman was summoned to return to Geneva in
the early stages of his trip and that from that point on he ceased to
deal with Chinese affairs.
  In conclusion I may say that there is a rumor current in Geneva
to the effect that Mr. Haas himself would like to succeed Dr. Rajchman
and is in fact seeking this post. In this connection I may say that in

88Ante, p. 145.
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