893.102S/2093: Telegram
The Consul at Shanghai (Butrick) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 2—11:57 a.m.]
584. In continuation of my 583, July 2, 1 p.m., the French Consul General stated that he would take orders from the Pétain Government. He said he had not been approached by any German authority but that in case of necessity he would prefer dealing direct with German representative rather than through an intermediary. He said if necessary to give up the French Concession he and his Ambassador were determined to return it to the Chungking Government, which he felt might put the Settlement in somewhat of a predicament. Such course of action would doubtless mean the occupation of the Concession by the Japanese.
Admiral Hart who is scheduled to arrive today will be informed.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Chungking, Peiping. Code text by air mail to Tokyo.