893.811/915: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
122. Reference to Consul General Myers’ despatch numbers 836 and 874 of September 19 and December 22, 1933, respectively, and numbers 880 and 893 of January 11 and February 7, 1934,88 respectively, covering liquidation of Liao River Conservancy Board. French Chargé d’Affaires in communication dated March 10th informs me [Page 76] that his Government is of the opinion that dissolution of Conservancy Board constitutes violation of the conservancy agreement of July 9, 1914,90 and that matter should be submitted for consideration to the interested diplomatic representatives since over the above material interests involved there is a question of principle which should not either in regard to the Manchurian authorities or the Chinese Government be impaired or allowed to lapse. French Government further believes that dissolution of board should be subject of verbal protest filed by consulates concerned with de facto authorities of “Manchukuo” and that, in order properly to signify that such protest in no sense constitutes an acknowledgment of the established fact, due advice should be given to the Chinese Government at Nanking.
French Chargé d’Affaires requests my views and asks if this Legation would be willing to consider with French Legation and with the Legations of Great Britain and Germany “the eventual adoption of a concerted stand in the matter.”
British Legation received identic communication from French Chargé d’Affaires and has informed me that since pertinent agreement and regulations fail to specify quorum and definitely prohibit voting by proxy at meetings of board the action taken at the meeting of the board on December 12, 1933, at Newchwang cannot now be protested; that had any government desired to protest such action it could have done so at that time; that confidentially the British Consul at Newchwang was, with the approval of British Government, ordered to absent himself from that city in order to avoid attendance at meeting; and that British Legation does not consider that matter calls for any action at this juncture. British Legation is, however, withholding reply to French Chargé pending this Legation’s receipt of Department’s views.
I am in full accord with British view in the matter and with Department’s approval will notify my French colleague that the American Government is not in a position to join in the action which he suggests.