FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1934, VOLUME III



pear, therefore, that the American and British Ministers are in posi-
tion to coordinate their representations to the Chinese authorities in
regard to this matter if and when it is decided that further representa-
tions should be made. In this connection the Department concurs in
the view of the British Legation that, before further representations
are made, the Chinese authorities be accorded every opportunity either
to drop the matter or to modify their attitude on their own initiative.
  With regard to the data desired by the Legation (referred to in the
last paragraph of its despatch No. 2530 of February 8, 1934) for use
as the basis of a reply to a statement of the Ministry of the Navy
to the effect that the General Pilotage Regulations of 1868 are not in
the nature of an agreement, as they were promulgated by Mandate of
the Chinese Government, and that, therefore, there is no need for
awaiting the approval of any other party, a search of the Depart-
ment's files reveals substantially the same information as that fur-
nished by the British Legation at Peiping, as quoted in the last
paragraph of the Legation's despatch No. 2531 of February 12, 1934.
  In the above connection, there are enclosed copies 92 Of two despatches
to the Department from the American Minister, J. Ross Browne, one
dated November 18, 1868 and the other January 29, 1869, together
with copies of the enclosures therewith except the text of the Gen-
eral Pilotage Regulations of 1868, which is the same as that printed
on pages 658-662 of Volume 2 of "Hertslet's China Treaties". You
will note that Prince Kung in his note of October 31, 1868, to the
American Minister, quoted the Inspector General of Customs as
follows:
  "I now inclose a copy of the ten revised rules, made out in accord-
ance with the directions sent to me; and have to request that they
may be made known to the Foreign Ministers in Peking for their exam-
ination and subsequent promulgation. They are to be regarded, in
this revised form, as experimental, and can be published in that
sense."
In concluding his note, Prince Kung stated as follows:
  "In accordance with this request, I have now the honor to inclose
a copy of the ten revised regulations for the examination of your Ex-
cellency. If experience should prove some of their provisions not
to be practicable, they can be discussed and amended at a future day;
but at present it will be agreeable to regard the whole set as experi-
mental, deserving of a fair trial."
In acknowledging Prince Kung's note, Minister Browne under date
November 9, 1868, stated as follows:

' Not printed.



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