Charles G. Dawes

The Diplomatic Mission of Charles G. Dawes in Paris, 1931

Presentation and Article by Robert W. Karr, Jr. - March 2021

Charles Gates Dawes (1865 - 1951) was the Honorary President of the Japan America Society of Chicago from its founding in 1930 until February 1942, when the Society suspended activities after the outbreak of the Pacific War.

Mr. Karr will bring to life three dramatic months of Dawes’ life that began with an urgent request on November 10, 1931 by President Herbert Hoover and Secretary of State Henry Stimson to go to Paris on a diplomatic mission to prevent war in Manchuria.  Dawes arrived in Paris days later as the Council of the League of Nations was preparing to reconvene on November 16 to review the extremely critical situation that was sparked by an incident on September 18 along the South Manchurian Railway involving the Japanese Army, Chinese Nationalists and so-called bandits.

Mr. Karr will provide insight into Dawes’ character, the criticality of his role in Paris at that time, and a fresh understanding of the events that were unfolding in Manchuria that eventually led to war in the Pacific.