123 [Dawson, Owen L.]: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:22 a.m.]
1171. Dawson22 has been asked by the Minister of Agriculture23 to accept the title of Honorary Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture. We are very much gratified by this expression of confidence and good will evidencing the friendly and cooperative relations established by Dawson in his contacts with the Chinese. Dawson would like to accept. He feels that the title would give him added prestige with no more responsibility for developments in China than his present collaboration involves. I have told Dawson that a question of policy was involved and that the matter would be referred to you for final decision. Dawson would appreciate an early reply so as not to keep the Chinese Minister waiting too long for an answer.