740.00119 PW/5–2845: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Hurley)

817. Reurtel 863, May 28, 5 p.m. Following telegram to Lisbon is repeated for your information:

“Several of our missions in Europe have been approached indirectly on this subject but the Japanese concerned have in no case exhibited any authority to speak on behalf of the Japanese Government. As it would be most unwise for our representatives abroad to hold conversations, however informal and indirect, with unauthorized Japanese, your action in this particular case is approved. However you will please report for the Department’s information any further approaches of this sort made to the Embassy, but we prefer that you not discuss these matters with your colleagues.”

Grew