893.102S/2160: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 5—2:23 a.m.]
379. 1. On July 29 the Embassy received Shanghai’s despatch No. 3162 of May 2416 transmitting a request from the Shanghai Municipal Council that the American Embassy support the Council in asking that the Chinese Government henceforth bear the entire expense of the judicial police, most of, if not all, the expense of the municipal jail.
2. I realize keenly the financial difficulties of the Municipal Council but I see strong objections to our asking the Chinese Government to bear an increased share of the court expenses in the Settlement It seems unlikely that the Chinese Government would accede to the request if presented by us but I feel that even if it did so the result would be unfavorable. In the first place, an undesirable implication would arise of an additional obligation on our part toward the Chinese Government to support the court system under all circumstances which obligation we might not be able to fulfill.
[Page 761]For the second place any transfer of responsibility from the Council to the Chinese Government might be used to strengthen the contention of the Nanking régime that the court question is purely domestic and that foreign rights are not involved and this might precipitate the necessity for an immediate decision. From every standpoint, therefore, it seems inadvisable to tamper with the present delicate situation.
3. I suggest that Butrick be instructed to inform the Council that the Embassy thinks it would be unwise at this time for it to approach the Chinese Government in regard to this matter.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Shanghai and Peiping.
- Not printed.↩