393.1163 Property/25
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
Peking, November 8,
1928.
[Received December 27.]
No. 1740
Sir: Adverting to the Legation’s radio message
No. 591, of August 2, 10 a.m., concerning the regulations governing the
lease of land and buildings in the interior by foreign missionary
societies, I have the honor to enclose copy, in translation, of a
despatch from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist
Government.
It will be noted that, in this despatch, Dr. Wang confines himself to
rather vague assurances that the regulations will not adversely affect
American missionary interests, and that, consequently, the Legation need
have no apprehensions.
I have [etc.]
[Page 579]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Wang)
to the American Minister (MacMurray)
[Nanking,] October 30,
1928.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of Your Excellency’s note of August 9, 1928,63 stating as follows:
“I have the honor to refer to the ‘Provisional Regulations
Governing the Lease of Land and Buildings in the Interior by
Foreign Missionary Societies’ which were transmitted to Vice
Consul in Charge Paxton by the Nanking Commissioner of
Foreign Affairs and to inform Your Excellency that … the
American Government is unable to recognize the regulations
in question insofar as they either contravene rights
conferred by the treaties or imply a right to confiscate
legitimate American interests.”
I have the honor to state that the Nationalist Government regulations
of July of this year were promulgated with a view to effecting a
uniform procedure, and in order to facilitate inspection and
protection. They in no way contravene the provisions of any valid
treaty. This matter concerns the regulations governing real property
in the interior and is purely a question of internal
administration.
The relations between the United States and China have always been
very cordial, and in addition, the attitude of the American Missions
is exactly the same as that stated by you to the effect that they
should submit to all reasonable regulations. As soon as the idea
underlying the promulgation of the above mentioned provisional
regulations has been clearly explained, my Government profoundly
believes that the missions of your country will no longer labor
under any misapprehension. My Government should certainly exert
itself to protect American citizens in the enjoyment of their legal
rights under the treaties; however, while the above mentioned
regulations are in force some equitable procedure will certainly be
followed in order to avoid the possible appearance of vexatious
matters and of cases of partiality. In view of the above I feel
sure, Mr. Minister, that any apprehension that you may have felt
will now be allayed.
I have [etc.]
