793.003/792: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State11
[Paraphrase]
Nanking, December 15, 1931—5
p.m.
[Received December 15—10:55 a.m.]
[Received December 15—10:55 a.m.]
Your 134, December 12, 1 p.m.12
- (1)
- Since my November 2, 1 p.m., from Shanghai, on extraterritoriality, it has not appeared wise to me to precipitate discussions on this subject, conditions having been so uncertain in regard to the Chinese Government. My British colleague agrees with me in this. In the course of a conversation I had some time ago with Frank Lee, the Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, I took occasion to mention to him my hope that the Chinese Government would not attempt putting into effect under the existing conditions the Government mandate issued last May, which was to become effective January 1, 1932. Lee agreed with me that under present conditions it would be impossible for his Government to implement this mandate on January 1. He said no preparations had been made to do this and it was his hope we would not press this matter, for he expected, once unification had been effected between Nanking and Canton, to find an opportunity to persuade the new Chinese Government to let matters stand. He stated it was difficult for him at that time to take this up.
- (2)
- Previously my British colleague had conversed with Lee along similar lines, and subsequently he took the same stand in a conversation with a member of the Kuomintang Executive Committee. A member of this committee agreed with my British colleague that under present conditions it would not be wise for the Chinese Government to attempt the implementation of the mandate as of January 1.
- (3)
- The other day my British colleague had a conversation with the Acting Foreign Minister, Wellington Koo, subsequent to his taking up office and introduced this question. Wellington Koo was informed that the British Government’s intention was not to complete an agreement relative to extraterritoriality while conditions prevailed as at present. Dr. Koo made no comment, but it is our hope that the Government will not do anything at this time regarding extraterritoriality.
- (4)
- Conditions in the Government are so unsettled that I have thought it useless to try to enter any serious discussion of extraterritoriality or related questions, so I have refrained from taking up the matter with Dr. Koo in the hope that conditions would stabilize so that something could be done.
- (5)
- The President of the National Government today resigned, and I expect to hear before the day is over that the Acting Foreign Minister has left office. I fear some days may elapse before there will be a sufficiently established Government with which to have any serious discussions. If the Department does not desire me to stay here, pending establishment of such a Government, I would like to return to Peiping with the expectation of coming back here after, the beginning of the year when the Government has had a chance to settle down in office and when responsible people can be seen. At present, Nanking lacks a responsible head of department. I should wish to leave Nanking not later than December 21.
Johnson