893.0146/695: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—10:20 a.m.]
1978. Leger said to me this morning that the British Government had made no reply to the French Government’s note suggesting that the British and French Governments should consult Washington before withdrawing any troops or naval vessels from China.
The British Government had informed the French Government [Page 250] last night, however, that it was sending the French Government another note this morning urging most strongly that orders for the withdrawal of British and French military units from China should be issued with the greatest haste.
The British Government feared immediate incidents which might provoke armed conflict between Great Britain, France and Japan.
Leger added that the British Government had been unable to obtain any authoritative information on the present negotiations between the Soviet Union and Japan but feared that they might result in Japan being given a free hand in the Far East.