Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The Far East, Volume IV

893.102 Tientsin/550: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, January 13, 1940—noon.
[Received January 13—3:50 a.m.]

26. My 23, January 12, 1 p.m. At a reception given yesterday at the Soviet Embassy both the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs⁹⁴ and the British Ambassador told me privately that they wished to discuss with me the matter of the silver in the British Concession at Tientsin.⁹⁵ I felt it was impossible for me to refuse to hear their views but unless otherwise instructed my own attitude will be based on the supposition that the American Government is and desires to remain without involvement in this matter, but the Department desires to be informed of views expressed by the interested parties.

Repeated to Peiping. Peiping please mail to Tokyo.

Peck

94. Wang Chung-hui.
95. The Chinese Ambassador in the United States (Hu Shih) on January 15 discussed the same matter with the Acting Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Ballantine).