393.115 Hunt Company, William/29: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
167. Your 219, April 27, 10 a.m.,41 and previous in regard to alleged transfer to Hunt and Company of title to properties of China Merchants Steam Navigation Company Limited.
The Department has examined record of case submitted for its consideration and is in general accord with the views expressed in your 201, April 12, 3 p.m.,41 to the effect that the agreements purporting to convey absolute indefeasible title to the properties under reference to Hunt and Company cannot be regarded as legally effective to accomplish that purpose and that the records strongly suggest that the principal if not the sole purpose of the purported transfer of title was to afford a basis for claiming American protection for properties owned by the Government of China. The Department therefore does not recognize the claim of American ownership of the properties and no protection will be extended to those properties by American representatives. Hunt may be advised accordingly.
[Page 342]It would appear that responsible officers of the Chinese Government must have been aware of the effort to use the agreements under reference as a basis for claiming American protection for the properties and it is not perceived, therefore, that any useful purpose would be served in making any official communication in regard to the matter to the Chinese Government.
Whether Hunt and Company has any valid claim against the Chinese Government, and if so, whether the company is entitled to any assistance from this Government in connection with such claim, are questions which can be considered if and when they arise.
Department suggests that American diplomatic and consular officers in China be informed of the substance of the foregoing and of Department’s general attitude as explained in its 334, May 21, 4 p.m., to Shanghai.