861.77/2033: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China ( Crane )
114. Your telegram no. 152 of April 12, noon. To date only the British Ambassador has been consulted informally with regard to this concrete proposal as to reorganizing supervision over the Chinese [Page 576] Eastern Railway. This has been done in order to compare views with the Government of Great Britain as a preliminary before negotiating more formally with the Governments of other interested powers. Negotiations with these Governments would be taken up in Washington with their representatives here. Do not discuss the matter except with the British Legation. If others indicate that they know of the proposal, report without delay to the Department.
Try to impress upon the British Minister that the American Government attaches very great importance to the hope that Great Britain will cooperate regarding this proposal which the American Government considers to be fundamentally important for developing both Siberia and Manchuria.