793.003/772: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
Washington, September 18, 1931—2
p.m.
328. [Paraphrase.] Your 592, September 17, 1 p.m., and Department’s 228, July 13, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- No comment or suggestions have been received by the Department from the British Foreign Office in regard to the memorandum mailed on July 14 to our Embassy in Great Britain2 to be communicated to the Foreign Office; this memorandum contained the statement that the Department would appreciate receiving the Foreign Office’s comments and suggestions. Nor has the Department in this period had any other indication of the views of the British Government regarding the extraterritoriality negotiations beyond what has been reported by you of your exchanges with Lampson.
- 2.
- The Department infers that the British Government wishes to defer its own commitment, including the resumption of negotiations, and hopes we will delay resuming negotiations.
- 3.
- The Department feels that this problem cannot be dealt with adequately merely by avoiding action. While the reluctance of any government to go ahead at this time with this subject stems from the present conditions in China, still, in view of C. T. Wang’s letter to you and of previous conversations, we are called upon to take action, and the Department feels the situation is such as not to warrant refusing to negotiate. Although, as stated in the Department’s 319, September 9, 3 p.m.,3 the Department would prefer that our negotiations with the Chinese be resumed simultaneously with those of the British or thereafter and would regret having to proceed without similar British action, it is considered desirable by the Department that this Government place no obstacle in the way of concluding before the end of this year, if at all possible, an agreement between the American and Chinese Governments. [End paraphrase.]
- 4.
- Department therefore expects shortly to give you definite instructions in regard to the above.
- 5.
- Referring to paragraphs 3 and 4 of your telegram under reference, Department concurs in the view which you express with regard to the question of Tientsin and with regard to the question of the Thorburn case.
- 6.
- Referring to your paragraph 5, Department is giving these points consideration.
- 7.
- You may inform Lampson at your discretion of the above.
- 8.
- The Department wishes that, in connection with conclusion of contract for sale of wheat by Farm Board and related matters, you proceed to Nanking at your earliest convenience. Therefore, please telegraph immediately members of staff that will accompany you and be prepared to proceed upon receipt of Department’s authorization.
- 9.
- It is suggested that you merely inform Wang that you are going to Nanking, without express mention of extraterritoriality.
- 10.
- Instructions with regard to extraterritoriality will be sent you at Nanking.
Stimson