293.1122/6–2551: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
6101. Urtel 6694, June 20.1 Dept has been aware implications to Brit position in requesting another country, such as Switzerland, represent [Page 1718] US in protection its interests in China. For this reason, Dept most anxious there be multilateral approach at Peiping of largest nr possible countries free world having representation there. It wld be particularly desirable to include India because good relations with Peiping and moral auth Ind Govt endeavors assert in other Asiatic matters. Question posed one of principle and observance most primary code of internatl behavior. Dept prepared to approach other Govts for their assistance and wld welcome any views FonOff may have as to timing and method, so that Amer and Brit efforts although separate will be correlated.
Ind Govt may feel that because it has few or no protection problems China it shld abstain, but this shld not interfere with carrying out projected move.
- The reference telegram, not printed, referring to pressure on the Department to enlist the aid of other countries in protecting U.S. interests in China, commented that the British were doing as well as possible under the circumstances and that asking the help of another nation would be interpreted as an indication of dissatisfaction with British stewardship (293.1122/6–2051).↩