893.156 CH/236: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:14 p.m.]
464. Reference Department’s 245, September 24 [14], 8 p.m. to Peiping and my 463, September 24.18 Following from Peiping:
“September 20, 4 p.m. My September 16, 4 p.m. regarding Chefoo Harbor Commission.
1. Following from Chefoo:
‘September 18, 9 a.m. Referring to the Embassy’s telegram of September 16, 3 p.m. regarding the Chefoo Harbor Improvement Commission. The Japanese Consul as representative of the consular body on the Chefoo Harbor Improvement Commission in a letter dated September 11 informed the Consular Corps that the Mayor of this city requested the liquidation of the Chefoo Harbor Improvement Commission and the surrender of all its property to the municipality. At the meeting of the Chefoo Harbor Improvement Commission held on September 10 the Japanese Consul, as representative of the consular body, approved the proposal of the Mayor as he believes the Municipal [Page 742] Government is capable of administering the harbor works. The British Consul in answering the letter of the Japanese Consul claimed the action taken is ultra vires and reserved all rights. In my acknowledgment I expressed surprise that action had been taken without consulting the Consular Corps and asked that my vote be recorded against the Japanese Consul’s acceptance of Mayor’s proposal at the same time informing him that because of the international interests involved, I have referred the matter to the Department and Peiping for appropriate instructions. The Netherlands Consul will write to Shanghai for instructions. The Italian Consul will do the same. The Norwegian Consul and the Finnish Consul reported to the Norwegian Consul General in Shanghai only. The Swedish Consul and the Belgian Consul is telegraphing the diplomatic representatives of these two countries for instructions. The honorary Consuls because of business interests are reluctant to take a definite stand against the Japanese.
The funds of the Commission deposited in the Hong Kong [and] Shanghai Bank were held 4 days, then released on the receipt of instructions by telegraph from the British Ambassador.’
2. Following from Shanghai:
‘September 19, 3 p.m. My September 13, 5 p.m.19 British Ambassador has informed me that he has today telegraphed to his Foreign Office pointing out that the Chefoo Harbor Improvement Commission as a purely executive body established by virtue of an agreement between the Chinese Government and the diplomatic body has no powers to dissolve itself. Ambassador has recommended that the Japanese Government be informed that the British, as parties to the creation of the Commission and as interested in its preservation, do not agree to its dissolution. The British Ambassador states that the French Ambassador is making a similar recommendation to his Government. You may wish to consider making a similar recommendation to the Department.’
3. I have today consulted my British and French colleagues and [suggest?] the American Ambassador at Tokyo make representations to the Japanese Government similar to those suggested for the British and French Governments.
4. As regards last paragraph of Chefoo’s telegram quoted above, the July financial statement of Commission shows a cash balance of approximately $100,000 Chinese currency in the Chefoo branch of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and approximately $425,000 on fixed deposit in the Bank of Communications at Shanghai. Sent to Ambassador only.”20
Repeated to Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.