893.5045/136: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
159. Department’s 146 July 13, 4 p.m. [Here follows substance of telegram No. 217, July 17, noon, from the Ambassador in Great Britain, printed supra.]
This is the first intimation that this Government has had of any proposal by the Municipal Council for a judicial inquiry into the question at Shanghai. The Department does not perceive any objection to the plan proposed by the British Government but before acquiescing desires to have your comments. The Department desires to know what effect such a proposal would have upon the Chinese and the relations between this Government and China. It would also like to be assured that such a judicial inquiry would not interfere in the early calling of the conference on tariffs and the sending of the commission on extraterritoriality.