793.00/48: Telegram
The Chargé in China ( Mayer ) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 26—1:25 p.m.]
249. My 247, June 24, 6 p.m.
1. Representatives of Washington Conference powers are today sending following identic telegram to respective Governments in reference to identic note addressed to them by Chinese Government under date of June 24th. Translation:
“The representatives concerned limited themselves to acknowledging the receipt of the note in question stating that they were transmitting this document to their respective Governments.
They are unanimous in thinking that this note responds especially to the immediate needs of the internal situation.
In the reply to be made they consider that it would be opportune to recall that the Conference for the Revision of the Tariff should assemble in the near future. Likewise the Governments should propose the hastening of the arrival of the Extraterritoriality Commission which alone is capable of studying the question. They should state moreover that the abolition of extraterritoriality must be dependent on equality of rights between Chinese and foreigners. It is understood that the reestablishment of order is an indispensable preliminary.
The representatives concerned request identic instructions.”
2. As I expressed myself generally at meeting of representatives of Washington Conference powers I consider that we should take advantage of opportunity afforded by reply to Chinese Government’s note aforementioned to record and give publicity to the other side of the shield; that, while reaffirming principles and policies of Washington Conference and reassuring Chinese of our desire to go forward along that line as soon as [may be], we should clearly indicate the practical difficulties involved and the necessity for facing facts rather than fancies in the request which the note presents for a [Page 766] readjustment of the treaty relations between China and the friendly powers. In my opinion our reply should frankly express the hope that the Chinese Government while demanding additional sovereign rights will commence seriously to realize the sovereign responsibilities which the possession of those rights entails. Furthermore, I believe we should affirm in our reply the duty of the respective Governments concerned toward their citizens and subjects who by mutual assent of the Chinese and the respective Governments have acquired in China commercial, educational, and missionary rights of great value and importance both to the citizens and subjects aforementioned and to the Chinese, the successful pursuit of which, if not their very existence, would in all probability be seriously jeopardized should the Governments concerned accede to the complete implication of the Chinese Government’s note of June 24th in this period of chaos and the absence in China of a permanent government able to enforce its mandate throughout the country or even in a considerable portion thereof. We might further with advantage in our reply state that the Governments concerned would be false to their public trust [should they] surrender the privileges and immunities of their citizens and subjects in China at the present time without first assuring themselves of the ability of the Chinese to carry out the burden of normal nationality to which they appear to aspire.
Repeated to Tokyo.