893.156/48: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
694. Legation’s 583, September 15, 11 a.m. Cunningham, in mail despatch September 18, presumedly which is being forwarded to the Department,66 states that revised regulations on several of the objectionable articles such as those as provided for taking over of wharves and deposit of cash security equivalent to a 6 months’ fee and that as regulations now stand only two points appear to be involved:
- (1)
- That the riparian owner in order to avail myself [himself] of the use of the foreshore must apply to the Land Bureau for a permit; and,
- (2)
- That he must pay a license fee to the Land Bureau for the privilege of using this foreshore.
The Consul General also reports that Standard Oil Company and Robert Dollar Company have recently received renewed requests from Land Bureau for payment of half yearly fee on their respective properties and that he advised them pending conclusion of negotiations [Page 1007] with Chinese authorities the question of payment of this fee should be held in abeyance.
This is also the attitude of the British Consulate General.
The Consul General considers that the revised regulations represent an attempt on the part of the local Chinese authorities to meet the objections of interested Consuls; that in all probability the Chinese will not go further towards meeting our wishes in the matter; that therefore he is inclined to recommend that the Legation accept these revised regulations as a compromise and that American firms then be told that there was no objection to paying the fee in question. He adds, however, that before taking any action he requests instructions of the Legation. I concur in the opinion of the Consul General and suggest that we temporarily accept these regulations but desire Department’s approval.