Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1931, The Far East, Volume III

793.003/658: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Nanking (Peck)

[Paraphrase]

Washington, May 8, 1931—noon.

34. For the Minister: Department’s 31, May 4, 6 p.m.⁴³

(1) By way of comment on the above, an extract is quoted below for you from the Department’s reply to the British note of May 3 which transmitted a summary of instructions to Lampson:

[Here follows quotation of paragraphs 2 and 3 of the text, dated May 9, 1931, printed on page 849.]

(2) Regarding Hankow, the Department wishes you to keep in close touch with Lampson and, in case the situation should develop to such a point that he would seriously contemplate dropping the proposed reservation of Hankow, to inform him of this Government’s willingness to make this concession simultaneously with the British, whereupon you would immediately inform the Department.

Stimson

43. Not printed; it reported the British Chargé’s communication of May 3, 1931. See footnote 32, p. 834.