611.9331/256

The Department of State to the British Embassy 3

Oral

Reference the informal and oral inquiry by the British Embassy with regard to the Department’s attitude toward entering into negotiations for the conclusion of a treaty of commerce with China.

Shortly after his return to Washington from China some two months ago, the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. T. V. Soong, when calling upon officers of the Department, stated that he thought it would be well to begin work on a comprehensive treaty of commerce between the United States and China such as is envisaged in the recently concluded treaty on extraterritoriality. Dr. Soong intimated that he thought that the negotiation of such a treaty would require a good deal of time. He requested that he be furnished with copies of several of the more recent commercial treaties concluded by this Government with other Governments.

Article VII of the extraterritoriality treaty between the United States and China provides that “upon the request of either Government” the American and the Chinese Governments will “enter into negotiations for the conclusion of a comprehensive modern treaty of friendship, commerce, navigation and consular rights”.

Accordingly, in commenting in reply to Dr. Soong’s observations, an officer of the Department stated that he was sure that there would be a general willingness here to proceed in the direction of a negotiation of a new treaty of commerce; that there would in all probability be required a considerable period for study and preparation, both by the Chinese and by us; and that there would doubtless be a period of conversations and comparing of notes, together with observation of current political and economic developments before the stage would be reached at which formal negotiations might to advantage be begun.

Copies of texts of treaties, as requested by Dr. Soong, were subsequently supplied to Dr. Soong.

We have assumed that the Chinese made a similar approach to the British Government; and shall be glad to exchange information and views with the British Government as further developments occur.

  1. Handed on May 6 to the First Secretary of the British Embassy (Hayter) and the Commercial Secretary of the British Embassy (Jopson).