812.504/1441

The Department of State to the Chinese Legation

Memorandum

The Department of State has received the Chinese Legation’s memorandum of March 2, 1934,25 in regard to anti-Chinese agitation in Lower California, Mexico, in which the Legation expresses the desire [Page 488] that some arrangement be made whereby Chinese refugees from that area could be admitted into the United States for a short time, under such conditions as the immigration authorities may prescribe in cooperation with Chinese consular officers, until it is safe for them to return to Mexico.

Prior to the receipt of the memorandum mentioned, the Department had received and is continuing to receive from its consular representatives at Ensenada and Mexicali reports with regard to anti-Chinese agitation in Lower California, Mexico. These reports indicate that American consular and immigration officers are watching the situation closely and are prepared to handle that situation, should occasion arise, in such manner as the circumstances may require and as may be appropriate.

The Department is not prepared to suggest to the immigration authorities the making of any special arrangement unless the Chinese Government chooses in advance of such arrangement to place at the disposal of the American Government a credit adequate to defray all expenses that such arrangement may entail. Since August 1931, the American Government has expended more than $500,000 to provide for the repatriation to China of Chinese refugees from Mexico. This expenditure was brought to the attention of the Legation on several occasions, especially in the Department’s note of September 1, 1933.26