707.1161/24: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 21—9:15 a.m.]
161. Legation’s 109, March 17, 4 p.m.62 This morning the Heads of Legation requested the Italian Minister communicate the following [Page 639] orally to Karakhan and to Chinese Government and authorize[d] Mr. Cerruti to leave an aide-mémoire in both cases if so requested. Translation:
“The Ministers and Chargés d’Affaires accredited near the Chinese Government have examined the communication which His Excellency the Ambassador of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics has been good enough to bring to their notice through the Italian Minister in regard to his position in the diplomatic body.
His Excellency Mr. Karakhan having been accredited by his Government and agreed to by the Chinese Government as Ambassador, the Ministers and Chargés d’Affaires consider him as dean of the diplomatic body with the prerogatives and functions which this charge carries with it in all the capitals, notably from the point of view of protocol on the occasion of receptions, ceremonies and other official meetings to [at?] which the diplomatic representatives are to be present in a body.”
A copy of this message has been mailed to Tokio.
- Not printed.↩