125.643/53: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Perkins)
319. Your 710, September 16, 10 a.m.
- 1.
- For your tentative draft substitute the following message:
“The ceremonies observed today mark the return of an American Consul to Nanking and the resumption of those direct relations between American consular representatives and the officials of the Chinese Government in this city which were unfortunately interrupted one and one-half years ago. One of the important duties of consular officials is to promote friendly and mutually profitable relations between their own fellow citizens and the citizens of the country in which they reside. My Government is confident that the officials of the Nationalist Government will accord to the American consular officials who are today returning to Nanking all proper assistance and cooperation in this and other matters. In a larger field the treaty regulating tariff relations between the United States and China signed on July 25, 1928, already stands as a signal indication of the faith my Government has in the ability of the Nationalist Government to undertake with success the great task of organizing the nation as an effective political unit.
[Page 360]The cordial reception tendered today to the officials of my Government, the exchange of salutes to the flags of the two countries and the friendly spirit of these ceremonies are additional evidence of the deep desire of both Governments to maintain and strengthen those friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries which had their origin more than one hundred years ago.”
- 2.
- If the Minister wishes to submit still another draft the Department will give it consideration.