893.51/2892

Mr. Thomas W. Lamont to the Under Secretary of State (Davis)

[Extract]

Dear Mr. Davis: Attached herewith please find my thought as to some possible announcement on the part of the four Governments as to the final formation of the Consortium.62 As we explained to you last night, such a fog has been thrown around the whole thing by the Japanese authorities that in China there is very real doubt and question as to whether the Consortium is to be an actual factor and whether it has the approval of the Governments. No real announcement along this line has ever been made. Such letters as Minister Crane may have written to the Government will have circulation in Government circles, but there is a vast population in China of growing intelligence and a rapidly increasing reading public. …

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sincerely yours,

T. W. Lamont
  1. The enclosed suggested announcement is identical with that contained in the Secretary’s telegram no. 282, July 23, 5 p.m., to the Chargé in Japan, p. 558.