Office of the Historian

893.512/437: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State

Peking, November 3, 1926—4 p.m.
[Received November 3—11:25 a.m.]

527. Department’s 255, November 1, 1 p.m.

1.
At the meeting Heads of Legation this morning British Minister stated his Government could agree to the third formula (see my 519 [520], October 29, 4 p.m.) omitting the last paragraph which in effect left only the first paragraph of the original formula as set forth in paragraph 3 of my 462, October 8, 8 p.m. The British Minister was unable to offer any explanation of his Government’s attitude in this regard. As all other diplomatic representatives agreed to this amendment, the paragraph in question being in no way vital since the matter of first importance appeared to be to lodge some form of joint protest against the new taxes as soon as possible, I concurred in the unanimous decision. The Senior Minister is now communicating the protest both to the Canton authorities through the senior consul there and to the Wai Chiao Pu at Peking.
2.
Despite my suggestion in conformity with the last sentence of the Department’s 240, October 22, 4 p.m., that we had already in effect protested against the Shantung taxes through the consular body at Tsingtau, all the other representatives were desirous of sending this same paragraph to the Shantung authorities through the senior consul at Tsinanfu and through the Senior Minister and to the Wai Chiao Pu in respect of Shantung. As such action could do no harm I concurred therein in order to prevent further delay in the Canton protest which my colleagues desired should be transmitted simultaneously with that regarding Shantung. I trust the Department approves my action.
3.
In accordance with procedure outlined in paragraph 1 of my 519 [520], October 29, 4 p.m., I am instructing American consul general at Canton to make individual protest in the sense of the antepenultimate [Page 897] and penultimate sentences of Department’s 217, October 5, 7 p.m., and second paragraph Department’s 255, November 1, 1 p.m. All diplomatic representatives I believe, even including British, are making individual protest in one form or another.
4.
The same slight alteration in phraseology to provide for the particular circumstances will be employed in the Peking, Canton, and Tsinanfu joint protests as described in paragraph 8 of my 497, October 20, 7 p.m.
5.
Texts will be given to the press tomorrow noon, November 4th.
Mayer