793.943 Manchuria/34: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart), at Peiping
380. Your 733, November 6, 11 p.m. The Department has given consideration to the manifesto of the Manchukuo régime in regard to the intention of that régime to abolish as from December 1, 1937, the extraterritorial rights of foreigners in Manchuria and has reached the conclusion that in view of all the circumstances no action should be taken on the basis of the manifesto in question. However, should our consulates in Manchuria receive notice from the Manchukuo authorities in regard to the termination of extraterritorial privileges or, in the absence of such notice, should a case arise involving the assertion by local authorities of jurisdiction over American nationals or their property, it is desired that the consulates promptly notify the Department thereof in order that consideration may be given to the matter of making appropriate representations.
You should communicate the above to the consulates at Harbin and Mukden for their confidential information and in addition to suggesting that they keep in touch with their principally interested colleagues direct them to keep the Embassy and the Department fully informed of developments.
Please repeat to Tokyo for Embassy’s information and ask Tokyo to repeat to you Tokyo’s 551, November 18, 11 p.m., and 553, November 19, 5 p.m.