893.102 Tientsin/538
Memorandum by Mr. George Atcheson, Jr., of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs51a
Reference Chungking’s 637, December 13, 5 p.m.,52 Tientsin silver deposits.
Prior to the receipt of this telegram an aide-mémoire to the British Embassy had been prepared as a reply to the British Embassy’s two aide-mémoire of November 30 and December 8.53 The draft aide-mémoire thanked the British Embassy for having furnished the detailed information contained in the Embassy’s two communications, stated that the Department realized the difficulties of the situation with which the British Government is confronted at Tientsin and had given sympathetic study to various questions arising therefrom, and went on to say that: [Page 256]
“…54 This Government has a broad interest, which it has on several occasions brought to the attention of the Japanese Government, in the effect which any disposition of the silver stored at Tientsin may have upon the general currency situation in China and related matters. With regard, however, to the specific proposals which are now under negotiation between the British and the Japanese Governments, the Department is of the opinion that there is nothing which it might usefully add to what it has already said in regard to questions relating to the silver deposits other than to state that this Government feels that it would not be appropriate for it to become associated either directly or indirectly with the negotiations or with the arrangement which, as indicated by the two aide-mémoire under acknowledgment, may result from such negotiations.”
As the British aide-mémoire of December 8 indicated that in discussing with the Japanese authorities the British suggestions for the disposal of the silver it had been made clear that the assent of the Chinese Government would have to be obtained, Chungking’s telegram 637 under reference would seem to preclude the necessity of making any reply at this time to the two British communications. Furthermore, as the proposed reply would be in one sense a gratuitous statement that this Government would not associate itself with the matter, it would seem advisable to assume that the refusal of the Chinese Government to assent to the proposed procedure obviates any necessity for reply.