711.933/169
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Johnson)
The Chinese Minister called today and asked me when we could begin discussions on the question which he had referred to in his conversation with me of the eleventh when he had told me that his Government had instructed him to take up the question of extraterritoriality. I told him I could not tell him now as the Secretary was away and the matter required some thought and it would take a little time. He stated that he thought the discussions could take place after we had consented to commence them. I told him it would probably require quite a little discussion as it was a matter that needed a good deal of thought. He said that time was flying by. I assented to this but pointed out that it was a matter that had been under consideration for quite a long time, that the situation had existed for many years and that we could well afford to consider very carefully what we were going to do before reaching any definite conclusions.
I stated that I hoped there was no truth in the rumors and reports that were constantly being referred to in print that the Chinese Government intended by unilateral action to denounce extraterritorial privileges on January first of foreigners. The Minister stated he had no information as to what their plans are, but from newspaper statements and rumors which he had heard and personal letters, he believed there was a considerable body of influential opinion in favor of that. I stated that I thought it would be a grave mistake on the part of the Chinese to do this, that the American Government would not feel it was in any way hostile to China nor would it like the idea of even seeming to act under the lash of the Chinese Government; that if there was any danger of this it might seem better to consider the matter more carefully and more at leisure.
The Minister stated that neither his Government nor his people had any desire to give the impression that they were in any way hostile to the American people or to the American Government, but that naturally there was a large body of public opinion in China constantly pressing the Chinese Government to get rid of the extraterritorial rights of foreigners and that they were forced to take such steps as would seem possible to that end.
The Minister asked me when he might be informed as to our intentions with regard to extraterritoriality and I told him that just as soon as the Secretary returned and I could discuss the matter with him I would inform him.