CHINA

ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ON THE EXPORT TO CHINA OF ARMS OR

MUNITIONS, INCLUDING MILITARY AIRCRAFT

Date and number

Subject

Page

1016

1018

1018

1019

1931 June 8 Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs

of a Conversation With Mr. Rogers of the Bureau of Aero

nautics, Department of Commerce
Explanation of the Department's policy of exporting arms to
China only on consignments known to be approved and
desired by the Nanking Government; and of exportation of

commercial planes without licenses.
June 12 Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern

Affairs of a Conversation With the Counselor of the British Embassy Observation by Mr. Hornbeck that the British policy, indicated by present holding up of shipments of arms for Canton in the absence of approval of the Nanking Govern

ment, appears to be identical with U. S. policy. June 24 From the American Minister in China to the Chinese Minister (312) for Foreign Affairs

Acknowledgment of note from the Foreign Ministry which requested that American merchants be instructed that no local government in China would be permitted to contract for the purchase of arms except under a permit from the Central Government; information that American consular officers in

China are being informed for the benefit of interested persons.
July 9 From the Minister in China (tel.)
(406) From Hong Kong: Complaint of local agent of L. E. Gale

Company, American firm, that shipments of military supplies
are being made freely from European countries to Hong Kong

for the Cantonese Government.
July 11 From the Minister in China (tel.)
(417) From Canton: Confirmation by Canton Aviation Bureau

of shipments of military airships from England and Germany,
and information from the Bureau that an order has been
placed with an American company, probably L. E. Gale Com-
pany, for 12 American military airships to be exported as

commercial aircraft and to be armed at Hong Kong.
July 18 To the Minister in China (tel.)
(237) Instructions for Canton and Hong Kong to report through

the Legation any instances of military equipment and air-
planes being shipped from United States or other foreign
countries to the Canton authorities, and to report cases of the

use of commercial planes for military purposes.
July 21 From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)
(41) Request from the Chinese Finance Minister that the United

States forbid the exportation of eight Lockheed Vega planes
purchased by the Canton Government for conversion into
military planes. Assertion by the United Aircraft Export
Company that the British authorities at Hong Kong do not

impede British sales of fighting planes to Canton.
July 22 From the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)
(42) Receipt of an aide-mémoire from the Chinese Foreign Office

concerning the planes mentioned in telegram No. 41, July 21,
requesting prohibition of export on the basis of U. $. regula-
tions for the transportation of war materials. Information
from the British authorities that the Barcelona Convention
prevents their interfering with cargoes consigned to Canton.

1019

1020

1020

1021

CHINA
ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ON THE EXPORT TO CHINA OF ARMS

OR MUNITIONS, INCLUDING MILITARY AIRCRAFT – Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1931
July 27 To the Consul General at Nanking (tel.)
(60) Advice that the Department is taking steps to prevent ex-

portation unless planes are accompanied by export licenses
duly issued by this Department in conformity with the estab-
lished requirements, but that it does not guarantee success of

its efforts.
July 30 From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)
(276) Information from the British Foreign Office that export

license for military materials is given only to shipments des-
tined for and with the known sanction of the Nanking Govern-
ment, that the Hong Kong Government is conforming to this
policy, but that commercial planes can be exported to any

place without an export license.
July 31 Memorandum by the Vice Consul at Nanking of a Conversation

With Major Wu Hjeh-shek of the Aviation Bureau at Nan

CHINA ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ON THE EXPORT TO CHINA OF ARMS

OR MUNITIONS, INCLUDING MILITARY AIRCRAFT—Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1931 Dec. 12

(339)

1027

1027

Dec. 14

(461)

To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Advice of the confirmation, by Department of Commerce
data, of the telegraphic report from Canton transmitted in
instruction No. 990, November 13. Request for early action
and report.
From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Report that matter of British delivery of planes to Canton
Aviation Bureau has been taken up with the Foreign Office
but that the latter is not yet able to make comment.
From the Minister in China

Information that the difficulties encountered by American
firms in the sale of aeroplanes in South China will probably
disappear in the reorganization of the National Government;
opinion that if a political reconciliation between the Chinese
factions does not occur, it would appear unjust to handicap
American merchants at Canton in view of British policy.

1027

Dec. 23 (1340)

PROTECTION OF TITLE DEEDS TO REAL PROPERTY OF AMERICANS IN CHINA

1931 Feb. 18

(814)

1028

1028

Feb. 26

(407)

From the Minister in China

Transmittal of a despatch from the Consul General at
Shanghai (excerpt printed) reporting a decision of the High
Court of Kiangsu excluding Americans and other foreigners
(except possibly missionaries) from holding perpetual leases
on land outside the definitely prescribed limits of treaty ports
and foreign settlement areas. Opinion that such decision will
lead to difficulties unless the extraterrioriality agreement pro-
vides a definite safeguard for such property rights.
To the Minister in China

Instructions to advise American consular officers in China,
except the Consul General at Shanghai, to take no further steps
toward the issuance of title deeds to property in China in the
name of an American citizen unless satisfied that there is sub-
stantial American interest in the property. Advice, however,
that the International Settlement and the French Concession
at Shanghai should come under a uniform practice established
by all the powers concerned.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Hankow: Information that vernacular newspapers
have published a proclamation by the Municipal Government
requiring the submission of "white deeds” for stamping before
April 1 or the imposition of a fine; request for instructions, as
owners of white deeds hesitate to submit them.
To the Minister in China (tel.)

Advice that foreign land titles and fees on land transactions
are questions being considered in the extraterritoriality negotia-
tions and that American holders of white deeds must act,
meanwhile, on their own judgment, but that if fees on previous
land transactions are not involved, American purchasers would
be wise to obtain red deeds when the procedure is based on
reasonable Chinese legislation.

1030

Mar. 27

(172)

1031

Apr. 6 (129)

CHINA PROTECTION OF TITLE DEEDS TO REAL PROPERTY OF AMERICANS IN CHINA

Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1931 June 8

(507)

1032

To the Minister in China

Advice that the recent action of the Chinese in withdrawing
from foreigners the privilege to purchase land at Mokanshan
constitutes no valid ground for protest; instructions, however,
to report any impairment of existing American property
rights as a result of the regulations.
From the Minister in China

Information from the Consul General at Shanghai that his
colleagues are not, at the present time, disposed to effect any
change in the procedure the issuance of consular title deeds
at Shanghai, as the matter is closely connected with the credit
and finance situation.

1033

Nov. 5 (1248)

EFFORTS

FOR

THE

OF

CONSIDERATION AMERICAN CLAIMS OUTSTANDING

AGAINST CHINA

1931 Jan. 3

(3)

1034

Jan. 9

(15)

1035

1036

Jan. 12

(17)

To the Minister in China (tel.)

Instructions to inform the Chinese Government, if con-
sidered advisable, that the American Government desires to
cooperate but cannot assent to the tentative plan for settle-
ment of claims against China (as set forth in Minister's tele-
gram No. 997, November 21, 1930) until informed of the
treatment to be accorded to the total outstanding obligations
owed to American interests. Inquiry as to possible attitude
of Chinese Government toward a Sino-American claims com-
mission.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Understanding that the Foreign Ministry desires as com-
plete a list of contractual obligations as possible with a state-
ment of sums due. Information that the attitude of other
governments toward the Chinese tentative plan has not been
determined.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Opinion that it would not be premature to request state-
ments from American creditors, as, until these statements
are prepared, no further discussion can be carried on with
the Finance Minister.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information that Dr. Wang Chung-hui, Chairman of the
Commission for the Reorganization of China's Domestic and
Foreign Loans, has been advised of the attitude expressed in
Department's telegram No. 3, January 3.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Proposal of an agreement for a claims commission to the For-
eign Minister, who felt that his Government would object but
desired to consider the matter.
Memorandum by the Minister in China

Discussion with Foreign Minister regarding the claims aris-
ing from damage to American property at Changsha in 1930;
Chinese position that Government was not liable for damage
done by rebels.

(Footnote: Information that the Foreign Minister subsequently refused to reconsider the matter.)

1036

Jan. 16

(27)

Mar. 7

Mar. 7

1037 CHINA EFFORTS FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF AMERICAN CLAIMS OUTSTANDING AGAINST

CHINA-Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1931 Apr. 13

1038

1038

Vav 7

(173)

1039

May 23

(294)

July 16

1040

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Information from the Foreign Minister that Wang Chung-
hui is not agreeable to a claims commission and that an official
proposal would receive a negative response.
To the Minister in China (tel.)

Suggestion that the attention of the Chinese authorities be
called to certain points relating to Department's draft protocol
setting up a claims commission (transmitted in despatch No.
1467, February 3, 1930), emphasizing that the work of the
proposed commission would be what the Chinese Government
apparently desires, namely, the clarification of its position
with respect to all foreign obligations.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Conversation with the Foreign Minister, who stated his
objections to the proposal of a claims commission but, upon
the Minister's suggestions of ways to meet these objections,
asked the Minister to draft an agreement along the lines
suggested. Request for the Department's outline for presen-
tation to the Foreign Minister.
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division Far Eastern Affairs

of a Conversation With the Chinese Chargé
Informal statement read to the Chargé in reply to his recent
inquiry, made at the instance of the Nanking Government,
with regard to the postponement of payments on inter-
governmental debts, particularly certain Boxer indemnity
payments.
To the Chinese Legation

Text of the informal statement read and handed to the
Chinese Chargé on July 16 by the Chief of the Division of
Far Eastern Affairs.
From the Minister in China (tel.)

Reuter's report from Shanghai: Information that the
Minister of Finance published a warning that the bonds issued
by Canton rebels and secured on customs revenue would not
be recognized in any way by the Government as having claim
on national funds.
To the Minister in China

Draft of a proposed claims convention between the United
States and China (text printed) to be used as a basis for
further discussions, and offering proposals to overcome Chinese
objections to the former draft.

Undated

1041

1041

July 30

(472)

1042

Dec. 10

(643)