793.003/337
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
Sir: In reference to the Department’s telegrams No. 137 of April 19, 6 p.m., and No. 139 of April 21, 5 p.m.,18 there are enclosed for your information: (1) copies, in duplicate, of the Department’s revision of the draft prepared by you and the British Minister in reference to a plan for the gradual relinquishment of extraterritorial jurisdiction;19 and (2) copies, in duplicate, of the Department’s transmitting [Page 436] letter of April 17, to the British Embassy.21 As stated in the Department’s No. 147 of April 26, 7 p.m.,22 the Department on April 23, in response to a suggestion from the British Embassy, telegraphed to the American Ambassador at London22 the full text of the revised draft with instructions that it be promptly communicated to the British Foreign Office. The American Ambassador was further instructed to obtain from the British Foreign Office the principal portions of the Department’s letter of April 17 to the British Embassy as telegraphically transmitted to the Foreign Office by the Embassy.
The Department has noted with interest the statement made in your telegram No. 280 of April 22, 4 p.m.,22 in reference to the British Minister’s statement that in his conversations with C. T. Wang and Wang Chung-hui both appeared to accept the fact that “the question of extraterritoriality would require a little time”.
Reports of recent developments in China point to the necessity for proceeding with caution in this whole matter and it is hoped that the attitude of C. T. Wang and Wang Chung-hui as thus reported are indicative of a willingness on the Chinese side to give due consideration to these determining circumstances.
I am [etc.]