701.9311/361
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Johnson)
Conversation—The Secretary and the German Ambassador. (Mr. Johnson present.)
The Secretary stated to the German Ambassador that some days ago the Chinese Minister had informed him that the Nationalist Government of China desired to raise its legation here in Washington to the status of an embassy and asked if we would reciprocate. The Secretary stated that the Chinese Minister had said that his government was making similar proposals to the governments of Great Britain, Japan, Germany, Italy and France. The Secretary said he did not wish to act in the matter without consulting the other governments, that he had talked with the Japanese and French Ambassadors and he desired to know what reaction the German Government would have toward this proposal. He went over the same ground with the German Ambassador that he went over with the Japanese Ambassador previously, adding that he had not heard any positive view from any of the governments excepting the French, who had stated in regard to this matter that the French Government was disposed to leave present arrangements alone for the time being.
The German Ambassador said he would make inquiry of his Government and communicate to the Secretary his Government’s views shortly. The conversation ended here.