893.711/113
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
Sir: Reference is made to your despatch No. 2279 of September 6, 1933,88 and previous correspondence, in regard to the press law of China. The Department notes that the question of the applicability of this law to American and British nationals was not settled, as had been hoped, by the despatch of the Legation’s note No. 625 under date July 18, 1933, and the British Legation’s note of July 17, 1933, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, as the Chinese authorities, wishing to retain the right of denying postal facilities and of imposing other administrative penalties provided in Chapter V of the Law of Publications, are unable to confirm the understandings requested by the American and British Legations. It appears, however, that they are prepared to waive the imposition of fines and penalties as provided in Chapter VI of that Law. Under the circumstances the Department approves your decision, with which the British Legation is in accord, to allow the matter to rest until the Chinese again reopen it.
If and when the question is reopened, the Department feels that we should continue to take the position set forth in the Legation’s note to the Minister for Foreign Affairs No. 625 of July 18, 1933, which the Department approved in its telegraph instructions No. 231 of June 30, noon,88 and No. 246, July 13, 4 p.m.
Very truly yours,