793.003/5578/9
Memorandum by the Minister in China (Johnson)10
Dr. Frank Lee, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, called upon me this afternoon. He stated that he had reported the substance of our conversation of April 21st to Dr. C. T. Wang, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who had expressed himself as being much gratified to learn that I hoped that the British and American governments might simultaneously sign identical treaties dealing with extraterritoriality. Dr. Lee stated that Dr. C. T. Wang was very optimistic as to the outcome of negotiations and that he had asked him to come to me to inquire what the wishes of the United States Government were; did the United States wish to sign a treaty in Washington or here in Nanking? I said that we were quite indifferent I was sure as to where we signed, that we had only been anxious not to do anything to offend Dr. C. C. Wu. Dr. Lee stated that Dr. Wang’s optimism was such that he believed that a treaty would be signed within a very few days and that he, therefore, thought that I should make inquiry of the Department of State and if necessary obtain authorization to sign so that the treaty could be completed here in Nanking simultaneously between China and the United States and Great Britain. I told Dr. Lee that I would make inquiry and that I would inform him of the views of my Government.
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister without covering despatch; received June 11. Substance reported by the Minister in his telegram of April 23, 1931, 5 p.m., from Nanking; received April 23, 8:50 a.m. (793.003/615)↩