704.5493/17
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 9, 1928.]
Sir: Adverting to the Department’s telegraphic instruction No. 103, of March 26th, 6 p.m., regarding the extension to Swiss citizens in China of the benefit of safety measures taken for American citizens, I have the honor to apprise you that the American Consul at Harbin, in a despatch to the Legation, No. 1618, of November 17, 1927,48 requested to be instructed whether or not the Consulate officially or unofficially should make representations to the Chinese authorities in regard to matters of taxation and other protection questions on behalf of Swiss citizens.
In an instruction dated November 26, 1927,48 I replied that I did not feel that the Department, in directing that Swiss citizens be allowed to benefit by safety measures taken for American citizens, intended thereby to authorize intervention on their behalf in taxation matters. I added that Swiss citizens in China were under the protection of the [Page 322] Swiss Consulate at Shanghai and of the French Legation in Peking, and that I had been informed by the latter that it would be quite in order for Swiss citizens at Harbin to address themselves in matters of taxation to the French Consul there.
Copies of Mr. Hanson’s despatch and of my reply thereto are enclosed.48a
I have [etc.]