Copy.
Copy on 53518/17
8.
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT.
9
FAR EASTERN (CHINA).
CONFIDENTIAL.
(F 3546/1906/10)
16
Copy
to S. 5.
H.R.
Sir A. Cadogan to Mr. Atherton.
July 9, 1937.
Section 1.
Copy No. 119
Foreign Office, July 9, 1937.
Dear Atherton,
IN the interim reply on the subject of extra-
territoriality in China that was sent to you on the 14th
May last a further communication was promised after
His Majesty's Government had considered the questions of
policy involved. I now write to say that His Majesty's
Government adhere to the view that it would be best to
wait until the Chinese Government take the initiative in
this matter. In the event of a request being received from the Chinese Government to negotiate on the subject of extra-territoriality, His Majesty's Government are of
opinion that they should adopt the same friendly and
sympathetic attitude as in the previous nego tations, and
that they should adhere substantially to the policy of the
1931 draft. His Majesty's Government agree with the view
expressed by the United States Embassy in China that the
Chinese Government may now endeavour to obtain a more far-
reaching abolition of extra-territoriality than that
envisaged in the 1931 draft. Nevertheless, it would seem
best to begin negotiations on the broad basis of that draft
and defer consideration of details until after the negotia- tions have actually begun.
As