793.003/509: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Dawes) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 27—5 p.m.]
30. My 28, January 26, 1 p.m.20 I had a conversation Wellesley today who speaking for himself said Foreign Office expects to be able to accept all the amendments as set forth in the Department’s telegram 16, January 19, 1 p.m., but as regards criminal jurisdiction believes the British Government’s decision may be that it will be wiser to surrender this as originally proposed by Lampson in order to secure more adequate safeguards in other directions.
Wellesley also pointed out that before statement of Government on British proposals can be final not only must the Secretary of State and Legal Adviser have further time for examination but the approval [Page 723] of the Dominions must be received as well. However Wellesley indicated strongly the Foreign Office opinion that far more might be achieved by discussing the proposals direct with Wang in Nanking than through the Chinese Minister in London (and inferentially or through the Chinese Minister in Washington).
However Lampson will not be back from his present mission in Southern China until February 20 when he will presumably receive instructions discuss British proposals direct with Wang at Nanking. Consequently Wellesley indicates that if the Department of State intends submit proposals to Chinese Minister in Washington “within a few days” the delay necessary for Wu to communicate with Nanking may not be incommensurate with time necessary for British instructions to reach Lampson who will discuss them directly with Wang in late February.
Wellesley obviously hopes if the new proposals submitted by the two are not identic that in the course of the negotiations with the Chinese any major differences may disappear.
- Not printed.↩