893.512/472: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
301. Your 621, December 17, 4 p.m. New York Times of today prints a news despatch from Peking dated December 19 referring to contents of a note alleged to have been addressed to the Diplomatic Corps at Peking by the British Chargé. News item states British Legation refused information as to contents of note but intimates that “note outlines what Great Britain feels should be the policy of the powers toward China and was put forward with the object of ascertaining whether the other powers signatory to the Washington Treaty would support it or suggest a better one.” Times article goes on to say “this program, according to some, is said to be liberal, among other things suggesting granting the Washington surtaxes and their collection by the Maritime Customs.”
Inference might naturally be drawn from this news item that Great Britain desired to be more liberal with regard to putting into effect of Washington Treaty than other powers, including ourselves. You may consider it wise to destroy such an impression if such an impression had been created publicly in Peking by making public our own attitude in favor of putting into effect surtaxes of the Washington Treaty without reservation.