711.933/65: Telegram
The American Chamber of Commerce at Hankow to President Hoover71
With reference to recent Chinese request for abolition of extraterritorial rights we earnestly request fullest consideration following views derived from past and present experiences. Chinese courts powerless before arbitrary action dictated by military who are subject to no civil control. Widespread lawlessness and radicalism now exist and progress toward unification extremely uncertain and entirely subordinate to will of individual militarists. Under these circumstances Chinese Government unable fulfill guarantees and while in hearty sympathy with Chinese national aspirations we are strongly opposed to any definite commitment by American Government tending to modify at this time extraterritorial status of Americans and American-vested interests in China.
- Received in the Department on June 19, 1929.↩