The Secretary of State to the American Minister.
Washington, November 17, 1911.
Sir: The Department is in receipt of the legation’s dispatch No. 346, of October 10 last, inclosing a copy of a dispatch dated October 7, 1911 [etc.].
Where the acquisition of land by foreigners outside of the several treaty ports is a matter of permission and usage, fortified by long observance and generally claimed for and conceded to the citizens or subjects of other nations, this Government would also be disposed to hold that deeds for such land presented by American citizens might properly be registered at the respective consulates.
You may advise the consul general at Tientsin to this effect.
I am, etc.,
Note.—In this connection see Japan, Land Laws of Korea.