793.94/9065
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck)
The French Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Jules Henry, came in this morning by appointment asked for by him. He said that since making the appointment yesterday he had seen the statement which the Secretary made yesterday evening33 and that it amounted to an answer to the question which he had expected to ask: it indicated what is the American Government’s position and action.
Mr. Hornbeck said that he was very desirous of having a clear understanding of just what had occurred on July 13: Mr. Henry had called him in the morning on the telephone and had stated that the French Government had instructed its Ambassadors in Japan and in China to make representations to the Governments to which they were accredited; Mr. Henry had asked what the American Government was doing; and Mr. Hornbeck had informed Mr. Henry of the action which the Department had taken on the previous day. Thereafter, in the afternoon, Mr. Gaucheron had come from the French Embassy and had stated to Mr. Hamilton that the information which the Embassy had given us in the morning was not complete; that the French Ambassadors in Japan and in China had been instructed to make representations, but, only subject to the making of representations likewise by the British and the American Governments. Mr. Henry said that what had happened was that they had received two telegrams, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
At that point, Mr. Hornbeck was called to the Secretary. As he and Mr. Henry walked out together, Mr. Hornbeck said that in the course of a conversation with Mr. Gaucheron on July 14 the conversation had been terminated with a request on our part that the French Embassy keep us informed of action taken by the French Government. Mr. Henry said that he had not been informed of any action taken except that of the instruction dealt with in the earlier part of the present conversation. Mr. Hornbeck said that, as we had not been informed of any action taken by the French Government, he would take the liberty of saying again what he had said to Mr. Gaucheron, namely, that we would appreciate being informed of such action as has been or may be taken by the French Government.