393.115/1–2849: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 28—9:40 a. m.]
279. British Consulate General beginning to issue notices for posting on British privately-owned property requesting protection. Per previous instructions Consulate General has only issued Chinese military posters obtained through Embassy Nanking. Recently Consulate General has issued letters to Americans in urgent cases identifying certain property as American-owned and stating that new treaty15 requires proper protection. Consulate General opposes issuance consular notices because large number Americans in Shanghai would result in widespread use of notices reducing effectiveness, providing opportunity for anti-imperialist propaganda, possibly arousing reaction as constituting slur on Chinese sovereignty in view of former extraterritoriality, creating numerous instances for decision as to extent of American interest justifying poster issuance, and substantially increasing administrative burden. Consulate General requests instructions.
Sent Department 279, repeated Nanking 206.
- Treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation, signed at Nanking, November 4, 1946, Department of State, Treaties and Other International Acts Series No. 1871, or 63 Stat. (pt. 2) 1299; exchange of ratifications not effected until November 30, 1948.↩