893.102S/2460: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 11—10:12 a.m.]
Reference Chungking’s April 8, 10 a.m., regarding period for which councilors will serve on provisional council.
It was originally proposed that period should be for 2 years but subsequently Japanese pressed for limitation to 1 year. As compromise measure it was finally agreed that councilors should serve for not less than 1 year and thereafter until their successors are elected or appointed, which it is hoped will be effected within a year or at any rate before the expiry of 2 years. British and Americans have no intention of prolonging plan beyond 2 years unless political situation should render permanent revision of land regulations impossible during that period.
Sent to Chungking. Repeated to Department and Peiping. Code text by air mail to Tokyo.