2.
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that in regard to the merits of the question at issue between the British and Japanese authorities he should hold himself aloof from any action and is informing him that it is the opinion of the Department that in so far as any action in the nature of the use of good offices on the part of the American Consul-General at Tientsin is concerned, such action should not be regarded as action of a formal character between or among Governments as such but should be regarded as continuance of action which American Consul- General has already been taking in a local situation.
American Embassy at Tokyo is being instructed by Department to inform the British Ambassador at Tokyo orally of the substance of instructions which are being sent to American Consul-General at Tientsin and subsequently to inform the Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs similarly, in the event that neither the American Embassy nor the British Ambassador perceives objection.