693.002/366: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—11:35 a.m.]
625. Department’s 212, September 3, 9 p.m. and Shanghai’s 630 [650], September 4, 3 p.m. British and French Ambassadors, now in Shanghai, are awaiting instructions from home governments. Both favor China accepting proposal emanating from Japanese Consul at Tientsin but are urging home governments to support more ambitious plan outlined in group memorandum recommending Hong Kong and Shanghai bank as trustee bank of deposit. British Embassy states that Inspector General of Customs is urging Chinese Government to accept such a scheme, and that he is being supported in this by Soong.85 There is a belief that Nanking authorities will be loath to accept any compromise arrangement but there is no definite information regarding Nanking’s attitude as yet. Does the Department wish to take identic or joint action with British and French in support group bank proposal.
- T. V. Soong, chairman of the board of directors, Bank of China.↩