793.94/5860a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

14. The British Foreign Office through the British Embassy here approached the Department recently with regard to the making in Tokyo by several powers of joint or separate representations to the Japanese Government with regard to China’s allegation of abuse by Japan at Shanhaikwan of privileges under the Boxer Protocol of 1901. After an exchange of views back and forth, the Department has informed the British Foreign Office that it does not feel it [Page 146] advisable for it to join in such representations at this time, although any effort which the British Government might feel moved, in the premises, to make alone or with the other powers signatory to the Protocol would have the Department’s good will.

The above is simply for your information. Department does not desire that you take any action in connection herewith. If approached on the subject by your British colleague you may inform him of the above and may state that the Department feels that any such action, if taken by the British Government, would have enhanced chance of serving a useful purpose in the absence of American participation.69

Stimson
  1. The Ambassador in Japan in his telegram No. 47, February 24, 11 a. m., reported: “The British Ambassador informs me that he has received instructions to drop the matter of making representations.” (793.94/5921)