893.515/640: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 26—9:05 a.m.]
287. I have just learned that over the week end the French Assistant Financial Attaché, Monsieur Felix le Norcy, informed Leith-Ross that he had been attached as economic expert to the French Legation in China. This appointment has not as yet been officially communicated to the British Government, which accounts for the statement in my 282 [283] June 25, 2 p.m.
Norcy now plans to leave for Shanghai in early August and Peiping about mid-September. He is considered here an adequate number two in the French Financial Attaché’s office and has had many contacts with the press, in presenting the French financial point of view. He is in no way, however, an outstanding figure and of course has not the prestige of Leith-Ross.
The French Ambassador has confirmed above but adds no official notification can be made until it is certain the health of French Financial Attaché will permit the absence of his assistant.