793.94112/331
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:55 p.m.]
102. Shanghai’s 158, February 26, 1 p.m., to the Department, opening of Yangtze. Counselor of the British Embassy has just inquired whether I have received any instruction from the Department in regard to proposed simultaneous representations to Kung. I informed him of the Department’s position as defined in the last substantive sentence of the Department’s 26, February 23, 6 p.m., and possibly affected by the last sentence in the telegram under reference. Informant said that the British Embassy here had been informed that the Inspector-General had intimated on February 24 that he thought it would be desirable if the Embassies concerned were to suggest to the Minister of Finance at this time the advisability of ignoring any arrangements the Inspector-General might make with regard to reopening the two customs offices. I suggested that he meant that Kung should “shut his eyes” to the proceeding and informant assented. I said I would inform Department of what the Counselor had told me and he remarked that for the time being the British Embassy would take no further steps.
Repeated to Peiping and Shanghai. Peiping repeat to Tokyo.