740.0011PW (Peace)/12–647: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Counselor of the Department (Bohlen), at London
u.s. urgent
TelMar 45. For Bohlen from Butterworth. Graves telephoned me at my house last evening stating that BritishAmb. Nanking was being instructed to represent to Chinese Gov undesirability of sending note in form indicated in TelMar 40 Dec 5, 8 p.m., and urging that it should be modified to embody two-thirds proposal. FornOff instructions were apparently that BritishEmb. Washington was to attempt to obtain instructions for Dr. Stuart to act similarly, failing this BritishEmb. Nanking was to act alone unless BritishEmb. Washington indicated this Government’s objection.
I replied State Dep unwilling to instruct AmAmb. Nanking in this sense at this time; whereas I could not speak for the Acting SecState or SecState in my view such representations at Nanking were undesirable and would prove ineffective and I expressed the personal hope that the British Gov would do nothing to delay the dispatch of a Chinese note rejecting the Russian proposal.
Nanking’s 2342 December 5, 6 p.m. available this morning and being repeated to you.
Repeated to Nanking No. 1480. [Butterworth.]