893.0146/752
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton)
Mr. Mallet, Counselor of the British Embassy, called at his request this afternoon and left with me the attached aide-mémoire bearing date October 30.98 Mr. Mallet said that he hoped that the decision of the British Government, as recorded in the attached aide-mémoire, would be satisfactory to us. Mr. Mallet said that he understood that the decision was in line with comments made by the Secretary and by Mr. Hornbeck in conversations with the British Ambassador. I said that I could make no comment in addition to the comment which had previously been made by the Secretary and by Mr. Hornbeck. I added, however, that it was my recollection that the British Ambassador had in his conversation with the Secretary made inquiry as to what the Secretary thought of the British leaving a few guards at Peiping and at Tientsin as a symbol, and that the Secretary had replied that this would in his opinion operate to mitigate to some extent but not to avert loss of prestige.
I told Mr. Mallet that I would without delay bring the British Embassy’s aide-mémoire to the attention of the Secretary.
Mr. Mallet commented that he understood that what the British were doing was along the lines of action taken by this Government a number of months ago. I then recounted to Mr. Mallet the action taken by this Government in withdrawing its infantry forces from Tientsin and in replacing those infantry forces with part of the marine guard forces on duty at Peiping.
I assured Mr. Mallet again that I would bring the British Embassy’s communication to the attention of the Secretary.
Mr. Mallet said that the British Government desired that its decision in the matter be regarded as strictly confidential.
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