793.003/544: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Nanking (Peck)
6. For Minister Johnson: Your March 3, 3 p.m.
In answer to Debuchi’s question concerning the extraterritorial negotiations, Assistant Secretary Castle told him in strict confidence that matters did not appear to be getting anywhere with the Chinese Minister and that the Department would have to consider the transfer of negotiations to China unless progress was made here. You should warn Shigemitsu that a suggestion of this possibility should go to no one. In telegram 5, March 3, 6 p.m., to Nanking, the Department already has suggested that you may deem it advisable to inquire tentatively of Dr. C. T. Wang as to his attitude on the transfer of the negotiations to Nanking. Your comments will be awaited before further action is taken.