CHINA RESERVATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS REGARDING DISPOSAL TO BE MADE OF THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY UNDER THE SINOSOVIET AGREEMENT Continued Date and Subject Page 1924 May 6 To the French Embassy May 14 (128) May 15 (129) May 15 (95) June 4 (156) June 12 (121) June 13 (175) View that the United States is not warranted in taking action expressly in behalf of the Russo-Asiatic Bank in the absence of any proof as to its legal identity with the original bank of the same name. Advice, however, that a note is being sent to the Chinese Government pointing out the inability of the United States to accept any settlement of the Chinese Eastern Railway question which does not afford adequate protection to foreign creditors and other interested parties, as contemplated by Washington Conference resolution XIII. From the Minister in China (tel.) French Minister's note, May 7, to the Chinese Foreign Minister, similar to the U. S. note of May 3; British Minister's intention to express the same views orally. Publicity given the French and U. S. notes, due to Foreign Office leak. Karakhan's public statement charging the United States and France with interference in Sino-Russian negotiations. From the Chargé in China (tel.) Distribution by the United Press of a message (text printed) reporting that the State Department admits interference in the Sino-Russian negotiations in behalf of U. S. interests in the Chinese Eastern Railway. Chinese insistence that interruption of negotiations was not due to the intervention of any foreign power. Request for authority to deny the allegations and to make public the U. S. note of May 3. Suggestion that the United Press be approached in regard to their handling of news. To the Chargé in China (tel.) Authorization to make public the U. S. note of May 3 and to issue a public statement that the note embodies the whole relationship of the United States to the matter of the SinoRussian negotiations. Information that the action of its correspondents will be taken up with United Press. From the Minister in China (tel.) Desire of Italian Minister to be informed of the American policy and attitude, in view of China's recognition of Soviet Russia. Request for instructions. To the Minister in China (tel.) Information, for Italian Minister, that this Government's position remains as expressed in the Department's telegram no. 81 of April 26, pending results of the proposed Sino-Russian conference. Instructions to keep the Department informed of negotiations. From the Minister in China (tel.) Japanese Minister's note of June 7 to Chinese Government and to Karakhan (text printed) declaring that Japan's rights and interests in regard to the Chinese Eastern Railway shall not in any way be affected by Sino-Russian agreement. 488 489 490 491 492 492 493 CHINA RESERVATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS REGARDING DISPOSAL TO BE MADE OF THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY UNDER THE SINOSOVIET AGREEMENT-Continued Date and Subject Page 1924 June 13 (176) June 17 (184) June 17 (185) June 18 (2324) June 24 (199) June 26 (204) June 30 July 11 From the Minister in China (tel.) Telegram, June 12, from the consul at Harbin (text printed) reporting plan, agreed upon with his British, French, and Japanese colleagues, to remove the seals placed July 31, 1923, on document cabinets of the land department of the Chinese Eastern Railway only when the present Russian officials are actually replaced by Soviet Russian appointees. Minister's fear that if removal is deferred until new regime is established, the consuls' action may be construed as tacit recognition. From the Minister in China (tel.) Foreign Minister's note, June 16 (text printed) stating that the agreement between China and Russia in regard to the Chinese Eastern Railway deals with problems that concern the two parties alone and which it is indisputably within their rights to settle between themselves. Information that similar replies have been received by the French and Japanese Ministers. From the Minister in China (tel.) Decision of interested colleagues to approve proposal of the consuls at Harbin with understanding that, should occasion require, the seals would be ordered removed at once. From the Minister in China Transmittal of a pamphlet containing Sino-Russian agreements, declarations, and exchange of notes, signed May 31, 1924. Agreements (texts printed) concerning the general principles for the settlement of questions between the Republic of China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and for the provisional management of the Chinese Eastern Railway. From the Minister in China (tel.) Japanese Chargé's note to the Chinese Foreign Minister (text printed) acknowledging the Chinese note of June 16 which refused to recognize the Japanese reservation regarding the Chinese Eastern Railway, and asserting that Japan deems it advisable, nevertheless, to invite China's attention to the matter to avoid possible difficulties in the future. From the Minister in China (tel.) Press interview with Karakhan (text printed) who condemns attitude of the U. S. Secretary of State toward China and declares that China and Russia will not allow other countries to interfere in affairs of Chinese Eastern Railway. From the Chinese Legation Explanation that the Chinese Government in recent agreements with the Soviet Government regarding the Chinese Eastern Railway does not contemplate that any legitimate claims of the other powers or their nationals shall be jeopardized. To the Chinese Legation Renewal of reservation of rights with respect to the responsibility of the Chinese Government, as trustee for the Chinese Eastern Railway, as regards the obligations toward that railway's foreign bondholders, stockholders, and creditors. 493 494 495 495 502 502 503 504 CHINA RESERVATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS REGARDING DISPOSAL TO BE MADE OF THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY UNDER THE SINOSOVIET AGREEMENT Continued Date and Subject Page 1924 July 11 (151) July 15 (156) July 22 (254) July 26 (170) July 30 (268) July 31 (266) Aug. 7 (184) Sept. 27 (368) To the Minister in China (tel.) Note for Foreign Minister (text printed) renewing reservation of rights with respect to the responsibility of the Chinese Government, as trustee for the Chinese Eastern Railway, as regards the obligations toward that railway's foreign bondholders, stockholders, and creditors. To the Minister in China (tel.) Instructions to agree with his colleagues upon an early date for removal of seals on archives of railway by the consuls at Harbin, the situation no longer calling for their protection; suggestion that public announcement thereof be made. From the Minister in China (tel.) Telegram sent by the British, French, Japanese, and U. S. representatives to the consuls at Harbin (text printed) directing them to remove seals from cabinets containing documents of land department of railway. To the Minister in China (tel.) Authorization to take part in the proposed conference of representatives of powers participating in Washington Conference resolution XIII, with a view to recommending steps for the protection of foreign rights in the Chinese Eastern Railway, and to be guided by the views expressed in the Department's telegram no. 151 of July 11. From the Minister in China (tel.) Telegram sent by the four Ministers to the consuls at Harbin (text printed) accepting the consuls' conclusion that the present time is not opportune for removal of seals, urging, however, their removal at the earliest practicable date. From the Minister in China (tel.) Draft joint note to China (text printed) emphasizing the obligations which the Washington Conference resolutions impose upon the Chinese Government and calling special attention to the serious consequences should any change in the economic and legal status of the Chinese Eastern Railway impair the administrative integrity of China and the principle of equal opportunity. Information that Japan will probably not unite in the joint note. Request for instructions. To the Minister in China (tel.) Opinion that the draft joint note to China is not calculated to improve the situation; authorization, however, to join in the proposed note should there be unanimous agreement to dispatch it; suggested verbal change in draft. From the Chargé in China (tel.) Press confirmation of the conclusion of a Manchurian-Soviet agreement concerning the Chinese Eastern Railway similar to Sino-Russian agreement of May 31. Chinese Foreign Office protest to the Soviet Government, September 25. Telegram from the consul at Harbin (text printed) reporting rumor that under the agreement Russian officials of the railway will be replaced soon by Soviet appointees. 505 506 506 507 507 508 509 509 CHINA RESERVATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER POWERS REGARDING DISPOSAL TO BE MADE OF THE CHINESE EASTERN RAILWAY UNDER THE SINOSOVIET AGREEMENT-Continued Date and Subject Page 1924 Sept. 29 From the Consul at Harbin (tel.) 510 Information that the consular seals have been removed from cabinets in land department of the Chinese Eastern Railway. Oct. 3 From the Consul at Harbin (tel.) 510 Arrest and imprisonment of General Manager Ostroumoff by the Chinese police. From the Chargé in China (tel.) 510 Receipt of text of the Manchurian-Soviet agreement; summary of its principal provisions. Oct. 8 From the Consul at Harbin (tel.) 511 Oct. 10 (382) Oct. 13 (237) Details of the arrest and imprisonment of railway officials before they could legally turn over offices to Soviet successors. Opinion that the matter should be investigated by an international commission or that foreign consular officers should be present at trials. Suggestion that press correspondents be detailed to Harbin to report Bolshevik activities. From the Chargé in China (tel.) Decision of the diplomatic body that they could take no action in the matter of the arrest of railway officials. Informal representations to Chang by the U. S., British, French, and Japanese representatives. To the Chargé in China (tel.) Instructions to advise the consuls at Mukden and Harbin that no further action in the matter of arrests would be warranted. 512 513 Dec. 9 From the Chargé in China (tel.) 513 (476) Joint informal note to Chang expressing the hope that the prisoners will be brought to speedy trial and that Ostroumoff will be permitted to reside at his house in Harbin while awaiting trial. PROPOSAL BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO CONVENE A PRELIMINARY CUSTOMS CONFERENCE, AND THE REJECTION OF THE PROPOSAL BY THE POWERS China's identic note, March 10, to the powers, expressing the hope that a preliminary conference may be held to make preparations for the Special Conference on Chinese Customs Tariff, which has been delayed by the failure of certain of the powers to ratify the Washington Conference treaties. Opinion that the object of this suggestion is to obtain some specific promise from the foreign powers relative to the imposition of surtax. To the Minister in China (tel.) Instructions not to indicate or commit in any way the position of the U. S. Government with respect to the proposal for a preliminary conference, pending further instructions. 513 514 CHINA PROPOSAL BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO CONVENE A PRELIMINARY CUSTOMS CONFERENCE, ETC.-Continued Date and Number Subject Page 1924 Mar. 18 (83) Mar. 19 (84) Mar. 20 (86) Mar. 22 (60) Mar. 31 (63) Apr. 24 (80) May 1 (84) May 7 (123) From the Minister in China (tel.) Agreement of representatives of powers signatory to the Washington Conference treaties that the Chinese proposal was inspired by need for money and was contemplated preeminently to determine purposes of surtax; their identic telegram to their governments (text printed) recommending that they be authorized to examine China's financial situation and purposes of surtax, upon condition that China submit plan for abolition of likin. From the Minister in China (tel.) Opinion of diplomatic representatives that any plan the Chinese Government may present for the abolition of likin will have no practical results, as the Chinese Government is powerless to assert its will in the provinces. From the Minister in China (tel.) Minister's maintenance of noncommittal attitude on proposal for preliminary conference; his private opinion that the proposal is impossible of acceptance. To the Minister in China (tel.) Information that the Embassy at London has been instructed to inquire concerning the British attitude toward the proposed preliminary conference and to explain that, in view of widespread disregard of treaty rights in the Chinese provinces and the growing attitude of irresponsibility on the part of the Peking Government, the United States questions whether it is not now inopportune or even dangerous to assume a responsive attitude toward Chinese proposal. To the Minister in China (tel.) British and Japanese inclination to agree in principle with the Department's views regarding the proposed preliminary conference. To the Minister in China (tel.) Telegram from London (text printed) reporting the British decision to join with United States in a reply to China and the suggestion that the reply include a statement that the powers intend to confer concerning the best means of giving practical effect to the Washington agreements, since it would be impolitic to give a flat refusal to China's proposal. Department's concurrence in the British suggestion; and instructions for joint action. To the Minister in China (tel.) British Foreign Office instructions to the British Minister at Peking to act with the American Minister in regard to the reply to China's request for a preliminary conference. From the Minister in China (tel.) Draft reply to China (text printed) stating that the signatory powers are unable to accept the suggestion for a preliminary conference but are alive to the importance of the situation and will confer as to the best means of giving effect to the Washington agreements. Request for instructions, in view of the difficulties anticipated in securing assent of certain powers to consultations contemplated in the draft reply. 514 515 515 516 517 517 518 518 |