761.93/149: Telegram

The Minister in China ( Crane ) to the Secretary of State

320. Your 273 October 9, 11 a.m. See my telegram of October 11, 6 p.m. 317 [312], Should Chinese Government accept proposal for provisory modus vivendi shall I join with my colleagues in negotiations between diplomatic body and Chinese Government which would cover Shanghai, Tientsin, Hankow and Harbin situation? Although wording of dean[’s] note might be construed [to] include Chinese Eastern I no doubt [do not?] believe such was intention of the meeting and I did not oppose wording as such international control seems unobjectionable from the point of view of American policy. Shall delay action [on] your October 9, 11 a.m. pending further instructions and receipt of Chinese reply to dean’s note.

Crane