123 Hurley, Patrick J.: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley), Temporarily in Iran, to President Truman 1
In this hour, it is unnecessary for me to say to you that you will have the same loyalty and support from me as I have given to President Roosevelt. Recently President Roosevelt asked me, in addition to my services as Ambassador to China, to go to London to confer with Churchill and Eden on the Chinese situation and to go to Moscow to confer with Stalin and Molotov on the same subject. I had not intended to report on this mission until after my conferences in Moscow but owing to the turn of events I am today sending a brief outline2 of my conferences in London to the Secretary of State. This morning I thought of turning back as my visit to Moscow was undertaken as the personal representative of President Roosevelt. However on further consideration I think it is appropriate to carry on and I shall continue the conferences in Moscow unless I am otherwise directed by you or the Secretary of State. The procedure under protocol provides that an Ambassador tender his resignation to the incoming President. For that reason I am appending to this report my formal resignation which can, if you wish, be separated from the foregoing secret message. I hereby tender my resignation as American Ambassador to China. I am at your command for any service you may desire from me.