893.00/7978: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 28—4: 58 a.m.]
642. 1. I earnestly recommend that British, French, Italian, and Japanese Governments be informed by the Department of its decision as stated in the final sentence of your telegram No. 307, December 23, 11 a.m.
2. There seems to be a prime necessity for this action, both because the other powers with naval forces at Shanghai would seem to be entitled to know the attitude of the United States and because if they are not informed there is the possibility that our Government might be criticized should the other interested powers consider it expedient to take certain measures of defense in a sudden emergency in order to protect the integrity of the Settlement in a way in which our Government would not be ready to cooperate.