706.6193/17: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Bell) to the Secretary of State

316. Your 205. Negotiations looking to withdrawal by Karakhan of his note to Yoshizawa of August 19th having [failed?], Yoshizawa has addressed Karakhan following note of which he has given me a copy. Note is dated August 20th, and I understand it was only sent within last 48 hours.

“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 19th instant wherewith Your Excellency sent back the note which I addressed you on the day [sic] at the request of the American Chargé d’Affaires.

I regret to find your note under acknowledgment contains terms which apparently are not calculated to conduce to the promotion of international good understanding. It however seems neither necessary nor useful to enter into discussion on these points. I only desire to point out that my communication of August 18th embodying the remarks of the American Chargé d’Affaires was no more than in fulfillment of what I conceived and still conceive to be my obligation and duty as senior representative of the protocol powers and that it was in no way to be construed as containing any insinuation against your Government or institutions.

In these circumstances I feel constrained to decline to receive back the note in question which as stated before was addressed to Your Excellency in my capacity of senior representative of the protocol powers at the specific request of the American Chargé d’Affaires.”

Bell