793.003/393: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, August 21, 1930—7
p.m.
214. Referring to the Department’s 197, August 9, 2 p.m., and to the Embassy’s 187, August 16, 11 a.m., and 190, August 19, 1 p.m.54
- (1)
- Copies of the June 4th draft have now been given in confidence by the Department to the Japanese and Netherland Missions in Washington.
- (2)
- With appreciation the Department notes the statements by the Foreign Office regarding the giving of two weeks’ notice and the explanation concerning the communication hitherto of copies of the drafts.
- (3)
- There is no objection on the part of the Department to frank communication with other Governments interested, provided that always it shall be made clear that no commitment has been made by the American Government, regarding the action it may take, except to give notice as agreed.
- (4)
- You may inform the Foreign Office of the foregoing.
- (5)
- You should state to the Foreign Office that, after duly considering all information lately available from China, the Department considers the political and military situations to be very uncertain still; that there appears to be substantial ground to doubt the Nanking Government’s ability to represent more than three or four provinces; that there appears to be no political authority able to give adequate protection to foreign lives and property; and that, within the area which the Nanking Government nominally controls, bandits and other [Page 458] predatory armed forces are destructively operating. Although the possible strengthening of the Nanking Government’s position soon is suggested by the most recent developments, it is doubtful that achievement of anything approximating stability is likely at best within several weeks. On this account the Department is of the opinion that to attempt serious negotiation at the present time is little, if at all, warranted and that the tendency to menace lives and property of foreigners may be increased if publicity is given at this moment in China to the idea of modification of the treaty status of foreign nationals. The Department wishes to suggest, therefore, that no initiative be taken with the Chinese by either the British or the American Government in the matter of extraterritoriality negotiations prior to, say, October. If the Foreign Office assents to such an undertaking, the latter would naturally be subject to termination after either Government had given the other two weeks’ notification.
- (6)
- You should say that, like the British Government, the American Government is committed to negotiate on this subject with the Chinese and that the American Government does not desire in any way to evade its commitment or to delay action unduly. It is felt by the Department that before the end of the current year negotiations should be well under way and that any thought by the Chinese of a resort to such drastic action as unilateral action in definitely denouncing extraterritorial rights should be forestalled. If, therefore, any question is raised by the Chinese, they should be informed that the desire for delay is based upon the assumption of their Government’s being preoccupied with matters of immediate urgency and that assent will be given should they insist upon negotiations being begun at once. In the Department’s opinion, however, no such contingency is likely to arise.
- (7)
- In case you deem it advisable, the following may be added by you: (a) The Chinese Minister here has informed the Department of his expected absence during September at Geneva; and (b) in the Department’s view, this implies that the Chinese Government, which is otherwise occupied, does not expect to press the extraterritorial issue during the next few weeks.
- (8)
- The Department is reporting the foregoing to the American Minister at Peiping with instructions that he discuss the subject with his British colleague. You should inform the Foreign Office.
Castle
- Embassy telegrams not printed.↩