793.94/8824: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
129. Your 257, July 18, 4 p.m. The Department shares your doubts whether the proposal of the French Ambassador to address identic letters to the Japanese Ambassador and General Sung Che-yuan would accomplish the purpose in mind. However, should the diplomatic representatives of the other Protocol powers be prepared to take such a step, the Department would not be disposed to interpose objection to your joining them in making, as on your own initiative, the suggested démarche. (Note: Should it be decided to carry out the French Ambassador’s proposal it is suggested that “the occupation corps, the guards of the Embassies” be changed to read “the guards of the Embassies and other Protocol troops, and.”)
In reaching a decision in regard to the French Ambassador’s proposal it would seem that two factors, among others, should be given consideration, as follows: (1) whether hostilities appear to be imminent, and (2) whether the hostilities would be likely to be of such a character as to prevent open communication between Peiping and the sea, and to expose American nationals, including the personnel of the Embassy, to serious danger.