711.933/247: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Perkins)
20. Reference Canton’s January 15, 3 p.m. The American Government has at no time opposed in principle the abolition of extraterritoriality. It does, however, contend that abolition should not be abrupt or in disregard of treaty provisions. Refer to Secretary of State’s public statement of January 27, 1927,51 and last paragraph of the American Government’s notes to the Chinese Government, dated August 10, 1929, and November 1, 1929.52 Believing that effective steps should be taken toward effecting the abolition of the extraterritorial rights which it exercises and which are enjoyed by American nationals in China under the provisions of treaties between the United States and China, the American Government is of the opinion, which it has expressed in the above references, made public, as well as on a number of other occasions, that the abolition of those rights should be accomplished by an agreed upon and gradual process. Officers of the American Government have for some time been actively engaged in conversations with officers of the Chinese Government in an effort to [Page 363] formulate a plan which may be submitted to both Governments whereby the abolition of these extraterritorial rights may be effected by a process agreed upon and in a manner which will prove satisfactory to the Governments and the people of the two countries. Negotiations along this line are now proceeding satisfactorily at Washington and it is needless to state that the American Government would view with regret and would greatly deprecate any action in disregard of the principles and policy upon which these negotiations are based.
Use of the above statement as suggested in Jenkins’ telegram is authorized. The statement, if used, should be informally communicated to Chinese officials leaving it to them if they so desire to give it to the Chinese press. Inform Jenkins.
- See telegram No. 28, January 25, 1927, to the Chargé in China, Foreign Relations, 1927, vol. ii, p. 350.↩
- See telegram No. 254, August 1, 1929, to the Minister in China, and telegram No. 958, November 4, 1929, from the Minister, ibid., 1929, vol. ii, pp. 596 and 616.↩