701.6593/19: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Straus ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 29—9:25 a.m.]
708. Department’s telegram No. 393, September 27, 7 p.m.84 During the course of a conversation between Rogers85 and Decloux of the American section of the Foreign Office on whom Rogers called yesterday afternoon on routine business Decloux of his own accord brought up the question of Italy raising its Legation in Peiping to the grade of Embassy. Decloux said that he thought his Government was very embarrassed and that the British were particularly so. He said that he understood that the British had lodged a formal protest through their Ambassador at Rome. He said further that he believed this to be an Italian gesture to flatter Chinese pride and thus assure for themselves a favored commercial position in China. Rogers made no comment.