611.9331/257
The Commercial Secretary of the British Embassy (Jopson) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)
Dear Mr. Hornbeck: On May 7th [6th] you were good enough to discuss with Mr. Hayter and myself your projected negotiations with China for the conclusion of a treaty of commerce. At that meeting you handed us an unofficial memorandum in which you stated that the State Department would be glad to exchange information and views with the British Government as further developments occurred.
We have now received a reply from the Foreign Office to the effect that they are grateful for this undertaking and glad to accept your suggestion.
The Foreign Office ask us to explain that as our treaty practice is adapted to our own needs and experience (as no doubt is that of the United States Government) it would probably be embarrassing to us both if negotiations which we eventually undertake were to be prejudiced by prior commitments of either one of us. In these circumstances [Page 714] it is of importance that we may rely on the State Department to give us due notice of any significant developments and the Foreign Office will, of course, for their part, do likewise.
Yours sincerely,