893.01/132: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Mayer)
277. Your telegram No. 439, November 11, 9 a.m. The Department assumes from your telegram that you and the representatives of the other Powers in Peking have not thus far entered into formal relations with the Chinese authorities now functioning there. In view of the indeterminate situation now existing, the Department desires to avoid any commitment as to the status of the new regime; and while awaiting the evolution of the situation would prefer that the Legation’s de facto relations with the regime now in control at Peking should be as informal and infrequent as may be compatible with the protection of American interests and the maintenance of good will conducive to that end.