893.00/8420: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
100. Your No. 239, March 22, 5 p.m. Department made the suggestion for your consideration and decision is left with you. In the conclusions your telegram set forth the Department entirely concurs but believes that to abolish the post of Minister at this time and appoint you High Commissioner would not be wise. This step has not been taken by any government during the present crisis in China and in several instances the Government of the United States has continued to maintain a minister charged to supervise American interests even when in the country concerned no recognized government existed. In the present case the Government of the United States seems less bound since the recognition it accorded to the Government of China to which you are accredited was a qualified one.