893.00/12562: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Acting Secretary of State

906. Reference Department’s 389, December 6. Following telegram has been received from the Minister.

“December 11, 11 a.m. I propose to inform Foreign Office orally of Department’s views. British method of meeting situation by permitting search in presence of British naval officers seems to me to be a common-sense method. I wonder whether Department would agree to this method in view of British action and in view of physical difficulties attending arrangement for customs search.”

For the Minister:
Gauss