Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, The Far East, Volume IV

893.515/1081: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China ( Peck ) to the Secretary of State

Nanking , May 23, 1936—11 a.m.
[Received 5:20 p.m.]

154. Department’s 121, May 20, 1 p.m. to Peiping; my 144, May 18, 2 p.m.;³⁵ Shanghai’s 270, May 18, 4 p.m.

1. Kung’s announcement published 18th omits mention of agreement at instance, I am informed, of State Department. Morgenthau’s published 20th.

2. Kung’s: Official reaction and controlled press extremely favorable and optimistic; no other local reaction.

3. Morgenthau’s: Foreign Vice Minister, former banker, states that agreement has not materially advanced China toward solution currency problems and that there is no general relief or interest presumably because magnitude of agreement is not known; press comment meager and either lukewarm or suspicious; only journal making specific comment sees American attempt to assist China with resulting control over Chinese currency.

4. To Peiping and Shanghai by mail.

Peck

35. Telegram No. 144 not printed.