893.00/1–1149
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Sprouse)
Subject: Chinese Proposal for Powers to Act as Intermediary
Mr. Daridan61 called by appointment this afternoon in connection with the above-mentioned subject. He said that the French Government had not reached a decision regarding the Chinese proposal and was interested in learning the U.S. Government’s attitude. I informed him that the question was under consideration but that no decision had yet been reached.
In answer to my inquiries, Mr. Daridan said that the French Government had indicated to its Embassy here that it would not unilaterally act as an intermediary. He also said that the French Government wished to concert its action in this matter with the British and U.S. Governments, and possibly the Soviet Government. Mr. Daridan pointed out that it was the French view that the United States was the nation in the strongest position in China with respect to such action and that the French Government would be likely to follow whatever course was decided upon by the U.S. Government.
I told Mr. Daridan that I would inform him as soon as possible of the reaction of the U.S. Government to the Chinese proposal. He said [Page 35] that this would be helpful to the French Government in reaching its decision.
- Jean Daridan, Counselor of the French Embassy in the United States.↩