893.5211/42
The Minister in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 7.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the final paragraph of the Department’s instruction No. 407, of February 26, 1931, in regard to the issuance of consular title deeds at Shanghai. In accordance with that instruction, the American Consul General at Shanghai was instructed to report the result of his negotiations with his interested colleagues in reference to the abolition of the present system under which title deeds are issued to non-beneficial owners of land located within the International Settlement and the French Concession at Shanghai. The Legation is now in receipt of Consul General Cunningham’s despatch No. 7041, of October 23, 1931, a copy of which is enclosed,12 reporting that, after consultation with his colleagues, he finds that they are not disposed at the present time to effect any change in the procedure now obtaining in respect of the issuance of title deeds of the nature described. He adds that his colleagues “feel that the matter is closely concerned with the credit and finance situation in Shanghai and believe that no change should be made for the time being.”
As pointed out by the Department in its instruction under reference, it is desirable that a uniform practice be established by all the powers concerned. In view, however, of the general political situation and of the present attitude of the Shanghai consular representatives of the other powers in respect of this matter, the Legation is of the opinion that the American Consul General at Shanghai should await a more favorable opportunity to seek to bring about the desired change in existing consular land office practice in regard to the issuance of title deeds to non-beneficial owners of land at Shanghai.
Respectfully yours,
First Secretary of Legation
- Not printed.↩