393.115/78: Telegram

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

Circular to all Consulates in China except Harbin, Mukden, Tsinan. Consular proclamations may be issued covering property of American individuals and organizations worded as follows:

“The Consulate or Consulate General of the United States of America at . . . . . insert place

Hereby notifies all concerned that these premises and/or articles stored therein belong to . . . . . . . insert owners name—an American . . . . . . . insert owners status. Official record has been made of the rights of ownership and the American Consulate or Consulate General recognizes the property in question as American-owned.” Stamp of the Consulate or Consulate General and date.

Chinese text follows: [Here follows Chinese text in code.]

Inventories on file in your office may be considered as official records.

Repeated to Peiping and Department for information.

Johnson