793.94/8945
The French Embassy to the Department of State49
The French Ambassador in China called the attention of the French Government upon the opportunity on the part of the principal interested Powers to request the Japanese authorities to respect the Protocole [Page 233] of 1901 concerning the principle of freedom of communications between Peiping and the Sea.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of France gave his approval to the suggestion of the French Ambassador. Therefore the latter brought the matter up to the attention of the Ambassadors of the United States, Great Britain and Italy in China.
The French Government has instructed his Chargé d’Affaires in Washington to secure an expression of views of the American Government on the matter.
- Transmitted by the French Chargé in his personal note of July 21 to the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs, in confirmation of a telephone conversation that afternoon.↩