124.93/333a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
204. 1. Scripps-Howard newspapers printed August 20 a story by Philip Simms which begins “Led by the United States and Great Britain, the great powers are quietly preparing to abandon Peiping and move their embassies to Nanking, seat of China’s Nationalist government.” The article states “What is happening is that the great powers, as well as China, are retreating before the advancing Japanese.”
Such is not the Department’s view.
2. With reference to recent reports relating to the proposed removal of the British Embassy from Peiping to Nanking, the British Foreign Secretary on July 27, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, stated, inter alia, “I should like to make it clear that the abandonment of the present Embassy at Peiping is not contemplated. There are important British interests in North China which render its retention desirable.”
This parallels the Department’s views.
[Page 550]3. The Department desires and we are assured that British Foreign Office desires that there be frank and continuous exchange of information relating to contemplated or decided upon changes in our respective diplomatic establishments, also armed forces, in North China.
It is important that there be no misconstruction, especially by the British, of our action or intention with regard to our establishments.
4. In light of the foregoing and in view of your impending occupation of residence at Nanking, Department desires that Embassy take special pains to avoid any implications and discourage any inferences that your entry into residence at Nanking has any ulterior or broader significance.
Department suggests that you inform British Chargé of this.
5. Inform Nanking and Shanghai.