861.77/1600: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis)
746. Your 1032, July 8, 5 p.m. British Ambassador has been told by us the essential motives behind the proposal. We are waiting for the return to Washington of Ambassador Morris before going into more detailed discussion. Further explanations will be made then by the Department and of these you will be advised. Available data regarding the financial condition of the road will also be communicated to you. We wish in the meantime to have it clearly understood that the suggested continuation of control of the Chinese Eastern by international action, whatever form it may be decided to have it take, is for the operation of the road as a strictly economic proposition as differentiated from operating it as an aid to armed forces.