Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1931, The Far East, Volume III

793.003/5578/9

Memorandum by the Minister in China (Johnson)³⁷

Nanking, May 6, 1931.

I went to see Dr. C. T. Wang, Minister for Foreign Affairs, at ten o’clock this morning at his request at his house. He told me that he had a matter of considerable delicacy to communicate to me; that it involved a piece of information which, if true, was likely to affect adversely the friendly relations between the two countries. He said that from a source which he considered to be unimpeachable he had been informed that the American Government had attempted to persuade the British Government not to go so fast in the matter of meeting Chinese desires in negotiations on extraterritoriality. He said that this action had been taken either in Washington or in London and I inferred that his informant was either the Chinese Minister in London or the Chinese Minister at Washington. He said that he did not desire that this matter become the subject of any publicity. I said that only yesterday I had heard from a newspaper correspondent that he had stated to a newspaperman that he understood the United States was attempting to block British negotiations. Dr. Wang then said that he had as a matter of fact brought this information to the attention of the President and to the Political Council, although he had added in making his report that he could not understand such action if it had taken place because of the friendly attitude manifested during the negotiations in Washington. I told Dr. Wang that I was at a loss to account for the report which he had received; that while he of course knew that the British and American Governments were in consultation in regard to the negotiations I had had no intimation that the American Government had attempted to interfere with the progress of these negotiations insofar as the other governments were concerned. I asked him whether he desired that I communicate this information to my Government. He said that he did so desire and asked that I get it confirmed if possible. Dr. Wang stated that his informant had told him that I knew nothing of this. He intimated that he believed that this action had been taken by the Secretary of State personally.

Nelson Trusler Johnson

37. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister without covering despatch; received June 11. Substance reported by the Minister in pars. 1 and 2 of his telegram of May 6, 1931, noon; received May 6, 9:30 a.m. (793.003/660)