493.11/1862: Telegram

The Minister in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State

192. Legation’s 186, April 21, 11 a.m. Following from Counselor of Legation at Nanking:

“April 23, 4 p.m. The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs personally copied on official stationery and handed to me April 25 [21] 5:00 p.m. a copy of the resolution passed by the Executive Yuan on April 17. This is being mailed to you today. Translation made in this office reads as follows:

‘With respect to notes owed to the United States a request shall first he presented to American Government to propose a list of such obligations for our information. In the case of those obligations regarding which no doubt exists the two Governments will jointly decide upon methods of repayment. In the case of those obligations concerning which there may be doubt, if the American Government still insists upon their settlement by arbitration, this Government will assent thereto.[’]

I have not inquired whether it is the Government’s intention to communicate this information through the Foreign Office. Although the copy handed to me bears neither signature nor seal it was given to me by the President of the Executive Yuan himself and the Foreign Office may think this sufficient. Please inquire whether the Department desires formal transmission by the Foreign Office.”

Legation considers that the memorandum received by Peck from Acting Foreign Minister will be sufficient provided Peck is authorized to present a memorandum to the Foreign Office acknowledging its receipt and stating that the proposal has been communicated to the Department.

For the Minister:
Gauss