Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1925, Volume I

793.00/95

The Japanese Embassy to the Department of State⁹¹

undated

Memorandum

1. The Government of Japan have observed with great satisfaction that since the installation of Marshal Tuan Chi-jui as Provisional Chief Executive of China, various questions of national and international importance, and particularly those concerning the recent “Reconstruction Conference and the Gold Franc, have been finally settled. Should China further succeed in the work of the National Assembly and the Customs Conference, which are expected to be held in due course of time, her position in the family of nations will no doubt be greatly enhanced and strengthened.

2. It is a cause of regret that certain elements of the Chinese people have recently been active in inciting strikes in Japanese cotton mills at Tsingtao, Shanghai and elsewhere. Demands for better terms of employment soon developed into threats and violence against employers and police, and following the unfortunate incident at Shanghai, they have been succeeded by anti-foreign movements directed towards the cancellation of international arrangements. These agitations have spread rapidly to a great many localities and foreigners have everywhere been subjected to constant danger and molestation.

3. It is realized that the Chinese authorities in different places have been making efforts, although with varying degrees of success, to suppress disorder. At the same time, they have freely given their moral, if not material, support to the movements for the revision of treaty relations, regardless of the means employed or of the consequences involved in the support of such movements. The note addressed by the Chinese Foreign Minister to the Japanese Representative at Peking shows the disposition of the Chinese Government to take advantage of the Shanghai incident for urging consideration by the Powers concerned of many sweeping demands which are not directly connected with the incident itself.

4. The Government and people of Japan always look with sympathy on the legitimate national aspirations of the Chinese. The Japanese still retain bitter memories of the regime of extraterritoriality that existed in their own country years ago, and so their minds are naturally receptive to the Chinese appeal for the termination of that system. They are also mindful of the manifold difficulties with which China is now confronted in her domestic and foreign relations, and they trust that Marshal Tuan Chi-jui will appreciate the patience and self-restraint which they have consistently exercised at this time when such heavy damage has been inflicted upon their countrymen.

5. It will, however, be well understood that the attainment of legitimate national aspirations must be sought through means equally just and honourable. Japan, during a period of twenty years, had devoted all her energy and attention to the completion of judicial reforms before she proceeded to the abolition of extraterritoriality within her own borders. When the results of her labour were made evident, the Powers gladly abandoned the immunity which they had previously enjoyed by treaty. The same immunity is still enjoyed by foreigners in China. It is, however, by no means due to any intention on the part of the Powers to stigmatize the Chinese people. It is based on the actual necessity inherent in and consequent upon the present inefficiency in the administration of justice. No attempt is likely to succeed which is designed to remove any effect without removing its cause. On the other hand, if the Chinese Government should decide to introduce immediately necessary reforms in the administration of justice, and thereby to prepare the way for the termination of extraterritoriality, they may reckon upon the wholehearted co-operation of the Japanese Government in common with the other countries.

6. It further seems extremely unfortunate that the present agitations of the Chinese for the revision of treaty relations should be closely associated with activities looking to the destruction of industrial organization. So long as strikes in factories are no more than a means to secure better conditions of employment, they shall give no occasion for official interference. But when they represent organization to undermine the whole structure of industry, they will prove a cause of serious danger as much to China herself as to other countries.

7. The Japanese Government are of the opinion—

(a) that the questions directly connected with the Shanghai incident shall first of all be brought to a final adjustment as quickly as possible;

(b) that thereupon, the questions concerning the jurisdiction of the Mixed Court, the organization of the Municipal Council and other kindred matters in Shanghai shall next be taken up and settled in the light of local requirements;

(c) that finally the questions of extraterritoriality and of customs tariff shall be disposed of, in conformity with the terms and spirit of the arrangement reached at the Washington Conference;

(d) that all bona fide labour disputes concerning the terms of employment may be left for direct discussion between the representatives of capital and labour, and no agitation from sources outside the immediately interested parties should be permitted to interfere;

(e) and that at the same time, it rests with the Chinese Government to carry out fully and firmly their obligations affording protection to the lives and property of foreigners, and to see the realization of China’s just aspirations, with the sympathy and understanding of the Powers.

8. If, as [is] confidently hoped, Marshal Tuan Chi-jui should face the situation with determination on the line of thought and action above suggested, the Government of Japan will be happy to do whatever lies in their power in supporting such a policy conjointly with other Powers.

91. In presenting this memorandum to the Secretary on July 16, 1925, the Japanese Ambassador informed him that it contained statements which were communicated by the Japanese Minister in China to the American Minister in China and, on July 10, informally to the Chief Executive of the Chinese Government.