393.11/911

The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)

No. 1175

Sir: The Department has received your despatch No. 1929, dated February 21, 1929,55 enclosing a copy of despatch No. 53, dated January 22, 1929, from the American Vice Consul in Charge at Yunnanfu,55 in which the Legation’s instructions are requested with regard to the issuance of travel passes to American citizens in the Yunnanfu consular district. A copy of your instruction in reply, dated February 21, was also enclosed55 and the comments of the Department were requested.

It is, of course, desirable that the Legation should exercise supervision over the issuing of travel certificates, in order to achieve, among other objectives, a certain uniformity of procedure. Nevertheless, as indicated in the penultimate paragraph of its instruction No. 890, of June 11, 1928,56 the Department realizes that conditions differ in different areas and that it is necessary to grant to consular officers a certain latitude in the matter of issuing travel certificates. The Legation’s instruction to the American Vice Consul in Charge at Yunnanfu, placing upon him the responsibility of making the decision in these matters, is approved.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Nelson Trusler Johnson
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  4. Foreign Relations, 1928, vol. ii, p. 269.