811.2300/50: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 14—7:30 a.m.]
57. Your 28, January 28, 6 p.m. Note from Minister for Foreign Affairs received 11th grants permission for night to cross Chinese territory and land at points therein subject to certain regulations. None of these appear onerous except provision that no photographic or wireless apparatus may be carried. I delayed telegraphing Department in order to discuss this matter as well as the regulations generally with Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday. I explained to him that we wanted all the regulations interpreted in a reasonable way and the specified prohibition of photographic or wireless apparatus eliminated, since these were necessary for the personal safety of aviators and the scientific objects of the flight. Koo seemed very receptive and sympathetic to these arguments and promised he would seek to have the undesirable regulations modified as the Chinese Government would not want to do anything prejudicial [to] the object of the flight.
Koo told me that the regulations were “for general application”, and I believe that they are merely perfunctory in the present instance and that no serious effort will be made to carry them into effect. Full report by mail in the pouch giving text of regulations.19
- Despatch no. 2086, Feb. 19, not printed; the Chinese Government granted permission to enter Chinese territory.↩