693.002/844: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 20—8:50 a.m.]
193. Shanghai’s 214, March 16, 5 p.m. On March 19, 2 p.m., at luncheon given by me the French Ambassador informed me he had received from the Counselor of the French Embassy in Shanghai a report of Kung’s instruction to Maze59 accompanied by recommendations that representations be made to Kung. The message was of the same tenor as Shanghai’s telegram in reference. The Ambassador said he was dining with Kung the same evening and that he felt strongly inclined to follow the Counselor’s advice. He inquired concerning my opinion and intentions. I said that the Department had hitherto merely expressed to the Japanese and Chinese Governments its interest in the maintenance of the integrity of the Chinese customs and had refrained from giving specific advice to the Chinese Government and that consequently I should await the Department’s instructions in the present instance. The Ambassador then made similar inquiries of the Secretary in charge of the British Diplomatic Mission and was told that the British Ambassador in Shanghai was awaiting instructions from London. The French Ambassador then said that [Page 822] he would await instructions from Paris before making any representations to Kung.
Repeated to Peiping, Shanghai.
- Sir Frederick Maze, British Inspector General of Chinese Customs.↩