793.003/3: Telegram

The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State

410. Your 338, January 21, 4 p.m. Your observations carefully noted. Two or three members of the Chinese Mission have mentioned the matter informally. They seem disposed to favor a policy of gradual preparation for the abolition of extraterritoriality on some such plan as is being followed in Siam. One delegate at least declared himself in favor of the employment of foreigners not as advisers but as officials of the Chinese Government in fiscal, judicial and other departments as vice ministers with real authority. I do not know that he has the support of his colleagues. The attention of the delegates was called to the unsuitableness to China of codes based on those of continental Europe. No commitments have been made by the American Commission. I shall be very glad to have your suggestions as to procedure. Lansing.

Am[erican] Mission