893.51/2406: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State

1354. My 1341, August 29, 8 p.m.52

I called this morning on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to learn whether any decision had been reached regarding the formation of the Chinese consortium. Mr. Pichon informed me that his Government, desirous of acting in complete accord with the British Government, had referred the matter to London and that he would inform me as soon as he received an answer from the British Cabinet [sic].

He further informed me that the Japanese Ambassador had handed him a few days ago a memorandum in which Japan stated her willingness to proceed to the formation of the consortium but asked that the special interests she already held in Manchuria should not be prejudiced.

Mr. Pichon expressed the opinion that this memorandum marked a modification of attitude on the part of Japan as that Government did not request the consortium to exclude Mongolia and Manchuria from the field of its activities.

Repeated to Embassy at London as 273.

Wallace
  1. Not printed.