793.00/91
The British Chargé (Chilton) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 21.]
Sir: I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty’s Government have given the most careful consideration to the views of the United States Government as set out in your note of the 13th instant regarding the suggested reply to the representations recently addressed [Page 789] by the Chinese Government to the Corps Diplomatique at Peking. The conclusions which His Majesty’s Government have now arrived at are as follows:—
After the fullest possible review of the facts of the situation His Majesty’s Government are still of the opinion that it would be inadvisable to make any delay in acquainting the Chinese Government with the attitude of the Powers. In this opinion they are supported by the replies received from the other governments whom they have consulted. Nevertheless, in deference to the views of the United States Government, His Majesty’s Government are prepared to endorse the proposal submitted by the Italian Government96 which appears to be in substantial accord with the procedure contemplated by the United States Government. His Majesty’s Government are also prepared to adopt a series of amendments which the Japanese Government have proposed to the draft joint declaration conveyed to the Acting Secretary of State in my note No. 683 of July 7th. I am forwarding the text of these suggested amendments under cover of a separate note and a perusal of them will show that they go far to meet the views of the United States Government regarding the Commission to consider the question of extraterritoriality. At the same time, however, His Majesty’s Government would deprecate giving the investigations of this Commission so distinct a lead as is implied in the relevant passages of your note under reference.
Taking into account the above considerations, which call for an amplification of the proposals conveyed to you in my note No. 677 of July 3rd last, His Majesty’s Government are of opinion that the reply of the Corps Diplomatique at Peking to the representations of the Chinese Government should consist:
- (1)
- of an emphatic statement that there can be no discussion of particular reforms much less a review by the Powers of their treaty relations with China until the Chinese Government have given evidence of their ability and willingness to suppress disorders and to enforce respect for the safety of foreign lives and property and put an end to strikes and agitations which are harmful to Chinese and foreign commercial interests.
- (2)
- of a reminder that the Powers have throughout shown willingness to undertake a full enquiry into the facts of the Shanghai riots and to discuss results with the Chinese Government. Extraneous matters mentioned in the thirteen Articles relating to Shanghai, but not immediately connected with the riots, must form the subject of separate negotiations which the Powers are prepared to undertake at an early date.
- (3)
- of the text of the proposed declaration arranged in a manner to suit its context in the reply and revised in accordance with the suggested Japanese amendments which appear in the main to meet such modifications as have been proposed by other Powers.
Whilst disposed to think that the exact text of the reply and the question of publicity can best be left to the discretion of the Corps Diplomatique at Peking His Majesty’s Government consider that the whole matter should be expedited in order that the Chinese may be given no further cause to doubt the sincerity of the Powers with regard to the fulfilment of their obligations under the Washington Treaties.
I accordingly have the honour to request that you will be so good as to acquaint me at the earliest possible moment with the attitude of the United States Government towards the above proposals. In the event of the United States Government concurring therein His Majesty’s Government are prepared to recommend the change of procedure as outlined above to the other Powers concerned, the majority of whom have already intimated that they approve action and the draft declaration in the form originally proposed.
I have [etc.]