893.113/1536: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 17—9:10 a.m.]
213. Legation’s 209, May 15, 11 a.m., final paragraph. Inquiry has been made of Belgian, British, French, German, Italian, Japanese [Page 497] and Spanish Legations. None of the other powers concerned have offices at Peiping. No Legation has any definite information as to attitude its Government will assume. French Chargé d’Affaires repeated note to his Foreign Office with request for instructions and was informed that similar note had been received from Chinese Minister at Paris and action would be taken there. British Legation says that exportation has been permitted only under authority of the Board of Trade which is issued only on presentation of Chinese Central Government’s permit. British Government was understood to be contemplating modification of this procedure along the lines of recent American procedure when the Chinese note was received. German Legation has repeated note to consular officers for information of merchants. Belgian Counselor of Legation has not received note which was probably delivered to Nanking office. No information on the attitude of his Government. Japanese and Italian Legations have no information on attitude which will be taken by their Governments. Spanish Legation has mailed note to Madrid.