123M221/286: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China ( MacMurray )
236. Reference your 588, July 18, 8 p.m.88 In view of the present crisis in Chinese-Russian relations, I regret exceedingly having to ask you to continue at your post. Today I had conversations with the British, Japanese, and French Ambassadors and particularly with the Chinese Minister, C. C. Wu. To them I pointed out the grave responsibility imposed by the present situation upon all the powers signatory or adherent to the multilateral peace pact. Agreeing with me, they are all telegraphing their Governments. I stated additionally to Minister Wu that with his Government there rests a still graver responsibility. From all available information, especially from the press, in Washington, I pointed out that the actions of the Chinese Government lent themselves to the implication that the Chinese-Russian agreement of 1924 had been violated by Chinese actions which might well be interpreted as an attack on Russia. Minister Wu undertook to obtain a report for me of what actually happened.
It is very necessary under the circumstances, I think you will agree with me, for you to remain until this crisis has, at least, developed. Tomorrow a telegram with further details of my conversations will be communicated to you.
- Not printed; it reported the Minister’s plans to sail for the United States.↩