893.00 Nanking/125: Telegram
The Consul at Nanking (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:50 p.m.]
I most respectfully suggest the advisability of now cultivating as good relations as possible with Chiang Kai-shek’s group as representing the best of the so-called Nationalist movement, provided that (1) it will strongly disavow and promise full satisfaction for the Nanking outrages; and (2) guarantee the cessation of molestation of American property and definitely undertake to respect American rights.
I believe that while any general intervention would be both impractical and inimical to American interests, further delay in securing satisfaction for the Nanking incident and [would] perhaps seriously and permanently impair American prestige in China.