793.94/8728: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 12—3:40 p.m.]
270. Our 269, July 12, 7 p.m.
1. Timperley telephoned to an officer of the Embassy at 11 p.m. to say that he had just completed a conversation with the Foreign Minister and the Director of the Department of Intelligence and Publicity of the Foreign Office in which the Foreign Minister had asked him to convey to the American and British Ambassadors the hope of the Chinese Government that the American and British Ambassadors come at once to Nanking. Our first reaction to this information is that if the Chinese Government desires the presence in the capital at this time of the American Ambassador, the Foreign Office should employ the usual channels of communication to make that desire known to the Ambassador. However, I pass on this information for whatever consideration it may merit.
Sent to the Department and Peiping.