893.51/2245a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Wallace)
8445. For Marshall. Referring to section 6 of resolution adopted by Bankers at their recent meeting in Paris, you are cautioned that in the opinion of the Department it may be dangerous to proceed with the instructions to the representatives and engineers until after the consortium has been finally approved by the respective governments and until after the consortium is organized. It has been recognized in principle by the bankers representing each group that industrial undertakings and railways in particular should be handled as an undivided whole. Discussion as to how this can be brought about may lead to discussion of “spheres of influence” and “special interest.” Such discussion may afford the Japanese an opportunity to press their claim to the end, that, Manchuria, Mongolia, Shantung and Fukien be exempted from the operations of the consortium and pressure may be brought to bear on England and France to claim exemption to this [their?] so-called “spheres of influence”. This would render the field of operations of the consortium quite limited and in the eyes of this Government quite useless. You will please be guided accordingly.
Repeat to London together with your 526, May 29, 6 p.m. and your 451 May 23, 6 p.m.2
- Neither printed.↩