693.003/571a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Reinsch)
With reference to revised Chinese tariff you will report by telegraph the present status of the tariff as regards the other powers specifying Powers which have accepted, first, revised tariff; second, Rules I to III; third, Rule IV. Please report also on conditions upon which, as the Department understands, the revised tariff went into effect on August 1. It was known to the Chinese at the time of the meeting of the Commission at Shanghai that it would require a convention to make the tariff effective as regards American citizens, and this Government is disposed to do everything to further the matter here. The United States has been left in a delicate position by reason of the lack of legal warrant for enforcing the revised tariff upon American goods. It is hoped that the Chinese Government will appreciate these difficulties and take immediate steps to regularize the situation by authorizing its Legation in Washington to sign a convention embodying the new tariff. As the Senate will probably adjourn shortly it is suggested that the Chinese Government present to the Legation at Peking the full powers for the purpose. The Legation should thereupon telegraph them to the Department forwarding the document by the first pouch.