893.102S/1402

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

No. 701

Sir: I have the honor to refer to despatch No. 169 of May 6, 1936, from the Consul General at Shanghai, concerning the status of non-extraterritorial consuls in connection with the Land Regulations and International Settlement at Shanghai, copies of which were forwarded by Mr. Gauss to the Department under cover of his despatch No. 180 of May 6.87

The course of action suggested by Mr. Gauss in his despatch under reference was approved in the Embassy’s instruction to him of May 14th. Mr. Gauss has now reported in his despatch No. 349 of [Page 690] August 22, copies of which are enclosed,88 that the Senior Consul ascertained from the German Consul General that the proposals outlined in his despatch No. 169 would be acceptable to him and then circulated the proposals to the extraterritorial consuls, who appear to have accepted them. The British Consul General has not yet recorded his opinion in writing but he approved the proposals before they were laid before the German Consul General. Mr. Gauss states that, in circulating the proposals to the extraterritorial consuls, the Senior Consul suggested that the arrangement “might be extended if it is so desired, to include all the heads of non-extraterritorial consulates of countries having treaties with China”. This suggestion was not accepted.

Respectfully yours,

Nelson Trusler Johnson
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