500.A4d/119: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)

[Paraphrase]

36. Your telegram 64, February 3, 5 p.m. In paragraphs 3 and 4 you state that evidently Wang has thought it opportune to commence agitation in the absence of reply by this Government, and that our opportunity to forestall the beginning of agitation over the adherence of Germany has been lost. I call to your attention that my conversation of January 7 was reported by the Chinese Minister to his Government; see my telegram 11 of January 9, 11 p.m. I then received your conversation from you; see your telegram 27 of January 15, 9 p.m.3 By my number 21 of January 20, 7 p.m., I instructed you concerning what to inform the Chinese Minister. By your number 43 of January 23 you asked in your reply to add a sentence. We gave authority to you but made suggestions. Had you desired to make use of this or to present views to the Foreign Office or obtain publicity, I do not see how blame for the delay rests on the Department. The other day a complete note covering not only Germany alone but all other cases was prepared to deliver to the Chinese Minister. He was called and informed of the substance of it. He asked that we not deliver it inasmuch as he was requesting his Government again to withdraw its request. We shall proceed now to call the Chinese Minister in and deliver the note to him, wiring it to you unless a request to the contrary is received from you.

Kellogg
  1. Not printed.