711.933/31
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck) of a Conversation With the Chinese Special Representative (C. C. Wu)31
Dr. Wu stated that there had developed at Nanking considerable discussion of the provisions of the newly signed Belgian-Chinese and Italian-Chinese treaties. He had information from a number of sources. There was a considerable amount of expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of these treaties. Under those circumstances it was probably a fortunate thing that a similar treaty had not been negotiated between China and the United States.
Mr. Hornbeck said that in view of what Dr. Wu had just said with regard to treaties, he would like to inject a remark with regard to the conversations which had been going on between Dr. Wu and himself, particularly the conversation of January 5. He said that [Page 547] Dr. Wu had been endeavoring to persuade him that the United States should conclude with China a treaty under the provisions of which American interests and nationals in China would become divested of their extraterritorial rights regardless of the position of the interests and nationals of other Powers, that is, whether or not extraterritorial rights should continue in force in reference to other countries. Mr. Johnson said that it would seem that there was nothing to be gained by discussing such a proposal: he referred to the statement made by the Secretary, before the conversations in the Division of Far Eastern Affairs began, to the effect that we could not contemplate an agreement which would place American interests and nationals in a position of inferiority to that enjoyed by those of other foreign powers in China. Dr. Wu suggested that it was not a question of “inferiority”. Mr. Hornbeck suggested that it need not be discussed in terms of inferiority or superiority but that it would be one of inequality. Mr. Johnson said that it had always been the policy of this Government to insist upon most-favored-nation treatment. Mr. Hornbeck said that, in conformity with that policy, the American Government had endeavored and is still endeavoring to bring about the termination or eradication of such features of unequal treatment or special privilege as survived in China and that he believed the Chinese were committed to the same objective. Dr. Wu said that the whole position of the foreigner in China was one of special privilege. Mr. Hornbeck suggested that, whether or not such was a fact as between foreigners and Chinese, it was necessary to distinguish between national treatment and most-favored-nation treatment; foreigners have never been given in China the rights enjoyed by Chinese; but as among and in reference to foreigners, the United States, at no time seeking special privileges for its own nationals, has always insisted on the enjoyment by its nationals of such rights as are accorded to other foreign nationals. Mr. Johnson reiterated that this Department could not consider a proposal which would provide for placing Americans in a position less favored than that of nationals of the “most-favored” nation.
- This memorandum is initialed by Assistant Secretary of State Johnson, who also participated in the conversation.↩