893.102 Tientsin/349: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 10—8:10 a.m.]
435. The Embassy has received a note from the Foreign Office dated July 8 stating that a report has been received to the effect that the British and French authorities propose to permit the Japanese and puppet authorities to take possession of silver deposits of the Chinese Government now stored in the British and French Concessions at Tientsin, and requesting that “the American Embassy take note and bring the matter to the attention of the American Government, asking it to remind the British and French Governments not to accede to the Japanese demand, in order to further friendly feeling”.
The Embassy does not intend to reply to the note under reference unless instructed to do so by the Department.
Repeated to Peiping, Tientsin and Shanghai. Shanghai please mail to Tokyo.