711.933/156: Telegram
The Miniter in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 18—8:55 a.m.]
900. Your telegram No. 329, October 11, 11 a.m.
- 1.
- The proposal set forth in my No. 860 [865] contemplated individual notes as in the case of the replies to the original Chinese note of April 27th.
- 2.
- British Minister has now proposed in lieu of the one previously
suggested the following basis for such replies:
“I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency’s note of September 6th in which it is requested that immediate discussions be opened by His Majesty’s Government with the Chinese Government for making the necessary arrangements whereby extraterritoriality in China may be abolished to the mutual satisfaction of both Governments.
In reply I have the honor to refer Your Excellency to my note of August 10th in which case [note?], under instruction from my Government, I set forth at some length the views which they had formed on this subject after having given it the most serious and careful consideration. I am now further instructed to inform Your Excellency that His Majesty’s Government, as stated in my note above referred to, await the communication of any proposals which the Chinese Government may have to make failing a careful preliminary study of which no useful purpose would in their opinion be served by opening discussions on the matter.”
Would the Department find this more acceptable?