893.102S/2459: Telegram

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

1.
An officer of the Embassy called at the Foreign Office yesterday and discussed with Tuan Mao-lan the question raised in your April 8, 4 p.m. Tuan asserted that the Chinese Government had very little if any control over terrorist organizations at Shanghai, many of which are independent or Communist in character. Tuan then said he had been instructed to inquire as to the reaction of the American and British authorities to the two proposals advanced by the Chinese Government as the sine qua non for its acquiescence in the proposed arrangement. The substance of your telegram of April 8, 1 p.m. [Page 848] was then orally communicated to Tuan with observation that if the Chinese authorities could take steps to cause the Chinese Ratepayers Association to name the four Chinese councilors desired by the Chinese Government it would seem that various difficulties could thus be disposed of. Tuan in reply said that he would lay this approach to the problem before the Foreign Minister for consideration. During the course of the conversation Tuan maintained that the temporary absence of certain Chinese councilors from Shanghai would seem to have no bearing on their selection.
2.
Tuan called on me this morning and read to me an “oral statement” from the Foreign Minister the text of which is being transmitted in my April 11, 11 a.m.98 In this connection he indicated that the Chinese Government is in possession of information to the effect that the Japanese and the Wang régime already have obtained control of the Chinese Ratepayers Association.

Sent to Shanghai, repeated to Department and Peiping.

Johnson
  1. Infra.