793.003 Manchuria/11
The Secretary of State to the Belgian Ambassador (Van der Straten-Ponthoz)
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s note, and enclosure, of September 9, 1936, in which inquiry is made concerning the attitude of the American Government with regard to the declaration made on July 1, 1936, by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of “Manchukuo”.
It is recalled that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of “Manchukuo” stated in substance that “Manchukuo” had decided to abolish by gradual steps the extraterritorial rights enjoyed by foreign nationals residing in “Manchukuo” and is prepared to consider proposals for opening negotiations toward reaching agreement with interested governments with regard to the status of their respective nationals resident in each others’ territory.
The enclosure to your note has been read with interest and care, and attention has been given to the various considerations set forth therein which have received the attention of the Belgian Government.
This Government has not overlooked the substance and purport of the declaration of the “Manchukuo” Minister for Foreign Affairs. With regard to the intended gradual abolition of extraterritorial rights in Manchuria, this Government is not disposed at this time to take any action. However, should there occur, as a result of the policy under reference in “Manchukuo”, cases of injustice, of unreasonable taxation or of discrimination adversely affecting American nationals, this Government would expect to give appropriate consideration to the problems thus and then created.
It is the opinion of this Government that the suggestion of the “Manchukuo” Minister for Foreign Affairs that negotiations be held on the subject of the status of foreign nationals does not require a reply, and that any treatment of the question of extraterritorial rights in Manchuria, as a question distinct from the question of extraterritorial rights throughout China, could be expected, as matters stand at this time, to lead to complications of an embarrassing character.
I appreciate the spirit in which your Government has given me the benefit of its reflections with regard to this matter and has sought the views of my Government. Your Government’s exposition of the subject is helpful and I trust that the foregoing statement of my Government’s views will be found adequately responsive to your Government’s inquiry.
This Government will expect to treat as confidential this exchange of communications and the contents thereof and assumes that your Government will desire to follow a similar course.
Accept [etc.]