Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume V

893.102S/2465: Telegram

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

Chungking, April 15, 1941—6 p.m.
[Received April 15—10:50 a.m.]

My April 15, 10 a.m.

1. I called on the Foreign Minister this afternoon at his request and he read to me an oral statement stating inter alia that the President of the Chinese Ratepayers Association has formally notified the Chinese Government of the election of Yu Ya-ching, Yuan Lu-teng, Hsi Yu-shu, Kuo Shun and Chen Ting-jui² as Chinese councilors for 1941–42 and that with a view to cooperation with the foreign ratepayers the Chinese Ratepayers Association is willing to have all of the foregoing councilors with the exception of Yu Ya-ching serve for the time being.

2. Following the reading of the oral statement (the full text of which will go forward by air mail³) the Foreign Minister stressed that the Chinese Government was acquiescing in the “temporary suspension” of the “relevant provisions” of the land regulations for a period not exceeding 2 years and that it could not be regarded as agreeing to the “formal amendment” thereof.

3. I suggested that it would be desirable if the President or other appropriate official of the Chinese Ratepayers Association would immediately notify the proper authorities in Shanghai of the selection of the four Chinese councilors. Dr. Wang assured me that he would communicate with the President of the Chinese Ratepayers Association who is now in Chungking with a view to making prompt formal notification to the authorities in Shanghai.

Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to the Department and Peiping.

Johnson

2. Latter four also known as L. T. Yuan, Yulin Hsi, W. Gockson, and Chen Ting-sui, respectively.
3. Not printed.