893.01/293: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, July 7,
1928—2 p.m.
14. Legation’s telegram 503, June 30, 3 p.m.
- 1.
- The final paragraph is not clear. It is assumed that it will be necessary to begin negotiations soon and it is desired to be prepared. It is requested that a specific and detailed reply be made to the sixth and seventh paragraphs of Department’s 202, June 23, 3 p.m.
- 2.
- According to press despatches published under Shanghai date line it is the intention of the Nationalist authorities to extend to foreign diplomatic representatives an invitation to attend a conference beginning July 20 at Nanking. The despatches infer that resumption of the Tariff Conference or general treaty revision is the object. Furnish any information you may have on this subject.
- 3.
- In the event that the conference referred to above should become the subject of discussion, you are authorized to make at the outset the statement that the United States is prepared, either with or without the other powers, to proceed with negotiations concerning tariffs, and also that the Government of the United States prefers a disposition of the tariff question before proceeding with discussions concerning general treaty revision.
Kellogg