793.003/239: Telegram
The Consul at Nanking (Meyer) to the Secretary of State
2. The following is the substance of a conversation which I had with Dr. Wang Chung-hui, head of the Judicial Yuan, last night at a dinner given by Dr. C. T. Wang:28
There are some phases of the question of extraterritoriality concerning which the Chinese Government is prepared to negotiate and there [Page 354] are others which it is not. It is not willing to negotiate with the powers on any question of principle. If, after the plan of procedure mentioned in the mandate29 and which is now under preparation by the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Yuans has been completed, the powers wish to make suggestions as to details, they may become the subject of negotiations. The Chinese Government will be firm where principles are concerned but reasonable as to details. This is a fight to the finish and China can only save itself by such a move as it made in the issuing of the mandate of December 28. The question of extraterritoriality is regarded from two different points of view by China and the powers. China regards it as a political question; the powers regard it as a judicial matter. The problem now before the powers and China is to reconcile the two points of view to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Wang Chung-hui continued that he thought it would please the Chinese people very much if Mr. Johnson30 would arrange to come to Nanking and present his letter of credence before proceeding to Peiping. He referred to the case of the British Minister to China who visited Hankow, the then capital of the Nationalist Government, before going to Peiping.31 He stated that even though the British Minister did not present his letter of credence at Hankow, his visit was greatly appreciated. He expressed the hope that Mr. Johnson would find it convenient to report direct to Nanking. The above may be of interest to Mr. Johnson since newspapers in China report that it is his plan to proceed first to Peiping before coming to Nanking.