793.003/794: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 19—4:43 a.m.]
Department’s 137, December 17, 1 p.m., to Nanking.
Last evening I saw Wellington Koo who told me that he would shortly again submit his resignation. I brought up the question concerning putting the May 4 mandate into effect and stated my hope that the Chinese Government would take no steps to implement the mandate on January 1. I pointed out that the negotiations in which we were engaged had been interrupted by the autumn’s events and that implementation of this mandate would destroy the atmosphere of cordiality in which our negotiations were being conducted. Dr. Koo said the question of the mandate was engaging the Government’s attention and would naturally demand the early attention of the new government upon its coming into power. Koo inquired whether the United States was taking a stand on extraterritoriality independently of Great Britain. I answered that our negotiations were independent of but more or less simultaneous with those of Great Britain; that our interests naturally were pretty much alike, and that at any rate we do not propose putting our citizens in a position which is less favorable than that of the most favored nation. Koo remarked that no doubt we would be satisfied to have our agreement provide that it would not become effective for American citizens pending a similar relinquishment of the rights of other nationals. I said I was without final instructions and did not know exactly how my Government stood in this respect.
Thereupon Koo asked what would be the American attitude if in the next few days the Chinese Government should formally request continuation of the negotiations. I told him I did not know, but that I felt my Government was willing to continue the negotiations although it naturally felt, under existing unsettled conditions, it would be better to wait. If such a request were made of me, I said, I would of course have to refer it to Washington. He remarked that a statement by us of our readiness to go on with the negotiations would greatly aid them in handling the mandate problem. Koo pointed out that little [Page 924] remained for discussion with the British, but with us the question of reserved areas still remained.
I expressed the hope that until after the 1st of January at least nothing would be done in this regard.