Office of the Historian

893.52/346

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Consul General at Canton (Spiker)44

Peiping, April 18, 1935—2 p.m.

Legation perceives no objection to American property holders voluntarily registering title deeds in the manner described in your despatch No. 17, April 4, provided no restrictions are placed on their treaty rights to acquire, and dispose of, leases in perpetuity at Canton. Legation desires you to obtain as soon as possible and forward by air mail with your comments copy of Chinese text and English translation of deed form to be issued under the new procedure.

British Legation states it is prepared to acquiesce in proposed re-registration at the same time reiterating its position that valid title deeds must be recognized and insisting upon the right of British subjects freely to transfer title deeds.

Johnson
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in China in his despatch No. 3526, April 20; received May 18.↩