793.94/4318: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 19—2:35 p.m.]
77. Foreign Office sent for me this evening to inform me of a cable just received from Lampson that in view of the danger to property and lives from shell fire in Settlement British Minister had “on his own initiative” joined with his American and other colleagues in representations to Chinese and Japanese authorities at Shanghai reserving all rights in claim to damages caused inadvertently or otherwise by their respective military operations.
Vansittart informed me immediately on receipt of this cable Foreign Office telegraphed Lampson approving his action and that Sir John Simon was anxious you should know at once of this Anglo-American cooperation under approval of the Foreign Office, which so nearly coincided with the draft declaration referred to in your 62, February 15, 6 p.m. Vansittart pointed out draft declaration was only addressed to the Japanese, and as he had stated to me on Tuesday last was not considered opportune.