706.6193/8: Telegram

The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State

277. Your 183, August 6, 2 p.m. Holland, Belgium, France, and Japan have approved the note as it stands. Objections are not anticipated from England and Italy which have recognized the Soviet regime, nor from Spain which generally follows others. Therefore, while sharing the Department’s feeling as to the need of special precaution I respectfully recommend that the Legation be authorized to omit the presentation to the representatives of the protocol powers of the Department’s suggestion in the last paragraph of the above-mentioned telegram, provided the question of such reservation is not raised by any representative of the other five powers who have not recognized the Soviet regime. The suggestion would involve delay and presumably another reference to the home governments. I deem it desirable from every point of view that the matter of the transfer of the Russian Legation be disposed of as soon as practicable.

At conference of diplomatic representatives of protocol powers August 1st I stated I was leaving Peking morning 13th and asked what should be done in case note to Karakhan had not been sent before that date. It was agreed that the note mutatis mutandis should be sent by the Italian Minister who in absence of French Minister on leave follows me in order of seniority. This arrangement accords completely with the views expressed by the Department. And it will make my observance of the Department’s instructions seem merely a natural outcome of the events themselves. It is scarcely necessary to say that even if in the three days remaining before I leave Peking I should be notified of the replies of England, Italy, and Spain I will take no further action in the matter.

Schurman