793.003/405: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes)
225. Department is informed by Peiping that Lampson states he intends to lay draft on extraterritoriality before Wang on September 11.
Johnson, apparently with knowledge of Lampson, suggests that simultaneously with presentation of draft by Lampson at Nanking, Department hand to Chinese Chargé here a copy of draft stating that it is in all respects same as draft of proposals which we understand British are making on that day to Chinese at Nanking.
Johnson also suggests that Department urge Japan to make similar use of draft of June 4 and states that Lampson is urging his Government to press Japanese Government to present draft of June 4.
British Embassy has advised Department on September 4 of British Foreign Office proposal substantially to alter last paragraph [Page 464] of Article 10; and Peiping on September 5 informs Department of Lampson’s intention to include in British proposals a formula covering Tientsin, Canton and Hankow.
Department is instructing Peiping as follows:
“The Department favors the idea of simultaneous presentation of practically identical proposals. However, it also feels that the present is not an opportune moment. Various considerations underlying that view, including situation in China and factors here, have been indicated in previous telegrams. Additional thereto, it must be taken into account that communication to other interested Governments of information concerning content of proposals contemplated has been very recent. Copies of the June 4 draft were given to the Japanese Ambassador here on August 12 and to the Netherland Legation here on August 19 [20]; you have reported giving a copy to Japanese Chargé on August 25 and to Netherland Minister on September 4 and that Lampson was at about that date giving copies to Japanese Legation and French Minister. It would appear that the interested Governments thus informed can not as yet have had time to give this draft consideration. Under these circumstances, the Department feels that it could not reasonably suggest to the Japanese Government simultaneous presentation of substantially identical proposals on as early a date as that decided upon by the British Government.
Nevertheless, in the interest of cooperation, if the Department be informed that the Japanese Government is prepared and disposed to join in simultaneous presentation at this time of proposals similar in general scope to the June 4 draft, the Department will be prepared to hand to the Chinese Legation here, simultaneously with presentation of drafts by Lampson and by the Japanese representative, copies of the June 4 draft.
The Department doubts the possibility of such an arrangement being effected and refers again to its previous suggestion that action might advantageously be deferred until October.
- 2.
- Referring especially to your paragraph 2, and further in the interest of cooperation. In the event that Lampson submits draft independently on or about September 11, the Department, upon being so informed, will be willing to inform the Chinese Legation here that the American Government has full knowledge of the proposals which the British Government is making, that it has prepared substantially the same proposals, and that it will expect to resume conversations and submit proposals some time in October.
- 3.
- You may inform Lampson of the above. Department is informing London.”
Please inform Foreign Office of the above.