793.003/482: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 20—9:25 a.m.]
1064. Department’s 440, December 19, 7 p.m.
1. Following from the Minister at Nanking:
“Department’s 437, December 17, 6 p.m. I am inclined to take seriously the statement made in the last paragraph of the document referred to in my December 17, 4 p.m.,85 which I now understand has been handed to the Secretary by the Chinese Minister and I therefore believe that the American Government should take steps to forestall unilateral action by the Chinese. It is probable that the British Minister may change plans in view of the statements made in this document. An identical memorandum was communicated to him. Identical memorandum accompanied by proposals apparently along the lines of counterproposals given to us was sent to the French Minister on December 17th.”
2. British Minister has just informed me of receipt of memorandum which he has telegraphed to London.