Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East: China, Volume X

793.003/2–2046

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, February 20, 1946—8 a.m.
[Received 10:59 p.m.]

330. Do files on 1943 Relinquishment Treaty throw light on construction of word “prior” in article IV, last line of paragraph 2 of treaty? (Refer Ruth Bacon¹⁶) Specific point is, does word “prior” refer to rights in existence before effective date of treaty or rights in existence at date of issuance of new deeds. Please send notes, if any, by airmail and cable correct construction of word “prior”.

Smyth

16. Of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs.