893.00/8157: Telegram
The Minister in China ( MacMurray ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 29—9:30 a.m.]
93. Department’s telegram 26, January 25. I am informed by British Minister that except as in the Hankow conversations neutralization of the International Settlement is not a subject of discussion. British are stipulating Shanghai must be left in statu quo. In this connection see last paragraph of British memorandum which you quoted in your 17, January 20.57 But even if Ch’en should give [Page 64] assurances to that effect I consider that it would be wholly illusory for us to rely upon them in connection with planning protection of the lives and property of Americans at Shanghai (see Hankow’s telegram January 20, repeated in Legation’s 61 to Department, January 22, last three sentences).58