701.4193/9–2849: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Embassy in China ( Bacon ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 28—5:10 a. m.]
2185. British Ambassador advised me September 26 that he has now agreed with Foreign Office that on his departure Coghill,90 presently Canton, be appointed Chargé; Hutchison, presently Shanghai, will be transferred Nanking as officer in charge office of Embassy Nanking and French Ambassador advises that First Counsellor Roux, presently Canton, will be Chargé and Second Counsellor Royère will be in charge of Nanking Office of Embassy as well as principal officer Shanghai Consulate General.
Since American Embassy, Nanking, presently performing few functions other than Consular, question continuance diplomatic status may soon be under consideration by Department. Question presumably will become acute on announcement organization Communist Central Government and recognition thereof one or more powers. We nevertheless urge Department postpone possible reclassification Nanking until joint action can be taken with Britain and France because (1) as Consulate, our relations with existing missions would be awkward; (2) reclassification Embassy properties into Consulate premises might reopen question taxability which apparently dormant; (3) reclassification for administrative reasons certain to be construed as political step and ought not to be made until political purpose thereby served.
- John Percival Coghill, Consul General with diplomatic status attached to the British Embassy.↩