893.0146/753
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton) of a Conversation With the Counselor of the British Embassy (Mallet)
Mr. Mallet telephoned and referred to the aide-mémoire which he left with me on October 30 in regard to the decision reached by the [Page 314] British Government in reference to British armed forces stationed at Peiping and at Tientsin. Mr. Mallet said that the British Embassy had now received instructions to inform us that the British Ambassador at Tokyo had been instructed, after concerting his action with that of his French colleague, to inform the Japanese Government orally that the British Government had decided, because of the requirements of the European situation, to effect a temporary modification in regard to British troops stationed at Peiping and at Tientsin, under which modification certain of the British forces would be withdrawn and the number stationed at Peiping and at Tientsin would be reduced.
Mr. Mallet said that the British Ambassador at Tokyo was being instructed to inform the American Ambassador there and the British Commandant at Tientsin was being instructed to inform the American Commandant at that place.
Mr. Mallet said that the British Government must ask that we regard this information as confidential until publicity should be given to it in London.
I asked Mr. Mallet whether he would be so good as to send us an informal memorandum containing the information which he had communicated to me by telephone. Mr. Mallet said that he would do this.7
- Memorandum not printed.↩