793.003/994: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)70
5656. Your 6322, November 10, 6 p.m. In handing me on November 10 the Chinese Government’s suggestions in regard to our proposed [Page 348] draft treaty (which suggestions are being communicated to you in a separate telegram), the Chinese Ambassador said that his Government would be interested in the question of liberalizing the Chinese immigration situation. I said that this brought to mind the important questions which would arise in solving the peace problems and establishing a suitable post-war economic and political structure in international affairs; and that there must exist a complete relationship of trust and confidence, friendliness and mutual cooperation among the principal Governments of the United Nations, such as China, Great Britain, Russia, and the United States, to speak without invidious distinction.
It will be noted from our separate telegram to you mentioned above that the Chinese propose an additional article to be Article No. I and to read as follows:
“The relations between the Republic of China and the United States of America shall be based on the principles of equality and reciprocity.”
We do not know the precise purpose which the Chinese have in mind in suggesting this article but it may have relation to the question raised in your telegram under reference. When we discuss the matter with the Chinese, we have in mind saying that the suggested article seems to us to be an unnecessary addition because the treaty speaks for itself; that the facts of our relationships as exemplified in the treaty are more important than descriptive phrases; that our concept of the brief treaty has been, as the Chinese know, that it would accomplish the relinquishment of extraterritorial and special rights and would take care of such related questions as require attention because of the relinquishment of extraterritorial rights; that we have hoped to achieve our purpose in such a way as to avoid bringing in extraneous matters which might cause difficulty and perhaps unfortunate public discussion either in this country or in China; and that the suggested additional article contains language which in our opinion is likely to be misconstrued by persons in this country as affecting broad questions which are necessarily not within the scope of our present endeavors.
- Similar message sent to the Ambassador in China in Department’s telegram No. 1077, November 13, 5 p.m.↩