Ent
-16
A Menson
R84
Daily Telegraph
16 OCT 1942
BRITAIN AND CHINÀ
To the Editor of The Daily Telegraph Sir-I hope that the letter from Mr. O. M. Green printed in THE DAILY TELEGRAPH will not give rise to any misunderstanding about the Chinese view of the relative rôles played by the British and the United States Governments in bringing about the step towards the abolition of extra-territoriality which was an-
ed last Saturday.
It is true, as Mr. Green says, that initial messages on the subject from Chungking have tended to stress the American part rather than the British. I have made inquiries on the subject, and find that the only reason for this was a failure of com- munication between London and Chungking which resulted in the statement from the American State Department being received in the Chinese capital considerably before that from the British Foreign Office.
Naturally the American statement dealt primarily with the decision of the United States Government, adding only that it was understood that the British Government was taking similar action. Equally naturally, the Chungking Press issued extra editions, and the news was publicised throughout China immediately on receipt of the initial message and before the British statement had come through.
This very important news was accordingly first presented to, and enthusiastically welcomed by, the Chinese people in the terms of the American statement. This fact was reflected in messages sent back from Chungking and gave rise to the situation complained of by Mr. Green.
I am sure that neither Mr. Green nor any of your readers need be concerned lest the British Govern- ment's part in the negotiations which have led to this historic moment be insufficiently appreciated in China. Any impression to the contrary which may have been created was, I am sure, due to no more than the all-pervading "tech- nical hitch.' Yours faithfully, GEORGE K. C. YEH,
""
London Director, Chinese Ministry of Information. London, W.1.
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