Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, The Far East, Volume IV

893.102S/1397

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

No. 661

Peiping, August 20, 1936.
[Received September 21.]

Sir: I have the honor to enclose for the information and consideration of the Department copies of despatch No. 333, dated August 12, 1936, from the Consul General at Shanghai, in regard to Chinese representation on the Shanghai Municipal Council.⁸⁵ Mr. Gauss encloses with his despatch a copy of Consular Body Circular No. 178–M–XII of August 6, 1936, in which there is quoted a letter from the Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government transmitting a request from the Chinese Ratepayers’ Association for an increase, effective in 1937, of Chinese representation on the Municipal Council of the International Settlement at Shanghai.

Mr. Gauss recalls that the Land Regulations for the International Settlement make provision for not more than nine foreign members of the Municipal Council. In 1928 a “temporary arrangement” was effected by which three Chinese members were added to the Council and in 1930 a further arrangement increased the Chinese membership from three to five. Mr. Gauss states that the Chinese now desire a further increase to nine members, in order to have equal representation with the foreign community. He states that he understands that the Chinese request has been made known informally to the Municipal Council and that the senior Chinese member of the Council has approached the Chairman of the Council on the subject. He adds, however, that the impression seems to prevail that the Chinese application will not be pushed vigorously at this time.

I concur in the views expressed by Mr. Gauss and respectfully commend his despatch to the careful consideration of the Department.⁸⁶ I will appreciate receiving any comments the Department may desire to make on the subject.

Further developments will be reported to the Department.

Respectfully yours,

Nelson Trusler Johnson

85. Not printed.
86. Mr. Gauss expressed the view that the Chinese had adequate representation on the Shanghai Municipal Council, but if there should be a general disposition to agree to a further increase in Chinese representation we should be disposed to acquiesce in such an arrangement. At the same time, the American Consul General should not take the initiative in any such proposal.