125.8571/11–2149: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 21—5:06 a. m.]
4862. Shanghai not yet faced problem registration property. (Deptel [Reftel?] 1181, November 15, from Peiping.60 Authorities Shang-hai [Page 1297] have not questioned ownership Government properties and for only one property, Glenline Building, have asked see deed. Sole contact authorities here has been on subject payment house and property taxes. ConGen has acknowledged by letter each tax notice, pointing out property owned by Government of US and therefore basis generally accepted principle international comity property one nation situated within territory another exempt taxation we assume bills sent in error. Follow-up notices and personal calls by collector handled same manner with statement question payment taxes subject correspondence two offices and Department. So far this technique successful. Doubtful how long before issue brought to head. Land Bureau has received list of properties citing title deeds in Chinese and Finance Bureau (house taxes) has accepted English version.
November 18 tax collector called saying we should follow example of British, who have paid taxes. Oral check reveals Shanghai representative Ministry Works paid house taxes from beginning without protest. Bills for land taxes ignored.
Department please pass Peiping in discretion.
- Not found in Department of the State files.↩