893.15/20
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Straus)
Sir: The Department refers to your despatch No. 831 of April 20, 1934,62 in regard to the Syndicat Europeen d’Entreprises and the desire of its Director, Mr. Charles See, to obtain the names of American firms which may be interested in cooperating on public works projects in China.
In view of the fact that but little is known of the Syndicat Europeen d’Entreprises and that under existing conditions activities in China in regard to public works projects involve political factors of importance, the Department does not, at least for the present, wish to further in any way the proposals made by Mr. Sée. You are therefore requested to refrain from making further reply to Mr. Sée’s letter of April 18, 1934.62 However, in the event that the subject is again brought to your attention by Mr. Sée or by other officers of the syndicate, it is suggested that your reply be confined to a statement to the effect that the Embassy doubts whether the Department would wish at this stage to interest itself in the matter. There might also be added a statement to the effect that, as the scope of the activities of the syndicate would appear to include the extension of loans to China, it is assumed that the syndicate is keeping the French and British banking group members of the China Consortium currently informed in regard to its proposed activities in China.
You are requested to report promptly the receipt by you of any additional information in regard to the activities of the Syndicat Europeen d’Entreprises.
Very truly yours,