893.51/7181
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)
In the course of a conversation this morning, Lord Lothian informed me in confidence that the British Government has informed the Chinese Ambassador in London that the British Government will advance £5,000,000 for further support of Chinese currency and will make for China a credit of £5,000,000 for the making of purchases within the sterling area. The British Foreign Office has inquired of the Ambassador whether he would consider December 10 an opportune moment for making public announcement of this decision. The Ambassador remarked to me that it seemed to him “the sooner the better,” and he asked my opinion. I replied that I perceived no objection to the date December 10 or any time between now and then.