793.003/271
The Department of State
to the Japanese Embassy67
undated
The Department has read with care the statement handed by the Japanese
Ambassador to the Acting Secretary on February 6, in which is given an
outline of the Japanese Government’s views with regard to the question
of extraterritoriality in China.
The views of the American Government and the action taken by the
Department up to date are expressed or recorded in the papers hereunder
which will be given by the Acting Secretary to the Japanese
Ambassador.
In connection with the question of negotiations on the subject of an
agreement for the abolition of the extraterritorial jurisdiction
exercised in China by the American Government, it should be understood
that the American Government is not as yet committed definitely to any
particular plan but is considering, by means of discussions between
officers of the Department and the Chinese Minister, various plans and
possibilities.
[Enclosure 1]
The Department of
State to the Japanese
Embassy
The statement herewith was read to the Chinese Minister at the
Department of State on December 28, 1929.
[Here follows text of undated statement printed in Foreign
Relations, 1929, volume II, page 665.]
[Enclosure 2]
The Department of
State to the Japanese
Embassy
The statement attached was prepared as a record of the views of the
American Government in regard to the Mandate issued by the Chinese
Government on December 28, 1929, and the public statement made by
the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs on December 30, 1929.
[Here follows text of memorandum dated January 4, 1930, beginning
with “it having been reported …”, printed on page 359.]
[Enclosure 3]
The Department of
State to the Japanese
Embassy
The attached is a memorandum of material for study, prepared in the
Department of State, in relation to the Chinese Government’s request
for the abolition of extraterritorial jurisdiction in China. A
[Page 382]
copy of the memorandum was
handed to the Chinese Minister on January 23, 1930,69 with the express
statement that it was for purposes of study and was not to be taken
as a definite offer or commitment on the part of the American
Government.
The Chinese Minister has submitted in return a memorandum of
comments70 with regard to parts of this
memorandum, which views the Department regards equally as not in any
way constituting an offer or commitment on his part. The comments
which the Minister has submitted are being given consideration.
Meanwhile the Department is continuing its study of this and other
possible plans for the gradual relinquishment of extraterritorial
jurisdiction over American citizens in China.
