893.01 Provisional/173: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8—7:03 p.m.]
586. Following is Embassy’s reply to a telegraphic inquiry from Hankow dated December 7, 10 a.m., seeking instructions concerning consular relations with officials of newly formed regimes:
“[Reference?] Hankow’s December 7, 10 a.m., in its telegrams of December 15, 7 p.m., 193758 and January 19 [18], 1938,59 to the Embassy at Peiping in regard to relations of consular officers with officials of the new regimes in China, the Department stated that American consular officers should avoid any action which might imply recognition of new political regimes. But in view of the need of the maintenance of the very complicated relations, the Department suggested that calls might be received and returned by sending or by taking in person if deemed expedient a personal calling card with the personal name of original caller inscribed thereon. In emphasizing its desire that contacts be kept on a personal and informal basis, the Department declared that it does not deem it practicable to issue instructions governing every contingency but relies upon the discretion and resourcefulness of officers to meet the requirement of the foregoing desiderata.
Sent to Hankow, repeated to Canton, and Amoy for guidance. Johnson.”
- No. 400, Foreign Relations, 1937, vol. iii, p. 811.↩
- No. 18, ante, p. 35.↩