893.515/397

The Department of State to the Chinese Legation33

The Silver Purchase Act34 is mandatory. The American Government cannot make an agreement whether informal or formal in impairment of its provisions. In administering it, this Government endeavors to avoid unnecessarily occasioning hardship to any country or interest. Our present purchasing procedure is believed to take into account the ideas comprised in the suggestions offered in the Chinese Government’s communication under reference. We will expect, immediately upon receipt of the “Outline of Further Measures”, to give the contents of the outline careful consideration.

  1. Informal message handed to the Chinese Minister, January 26, by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs.
  2. Approved June 19, 1934; 48 Stat. 1178.