force. As the Legation has no other information upon the subject,
and as it is aware of no legislation authorizing any American author-
ity to license amateur radio stations in China, it is inclined to instruct
the Consul General at Hankow that he should refrain for the time
being from suggesting to the Reverend Mueller that he dismantle his
station.
  The Legation has been unable to discover any law of the National
Government prohibiting, regulating, or licensing the installation and
operation of amateur radio stations in China, though the rules gov-
erning the Radio Administration of the Ministry of Communications
indicate that a system of licensing private stations was contemplated
  Subject to the Department's approval, therefore, the Legation pro-
poses to instruct the Consul General at Hankow to refrain from sug-
gesting that the station in question be dismantled, but in his discretion
to reply to the Special Inspector for Foreign Affairs with a request
that he be informed regarding the laws of the National Government
which prohibit such amateur stations in order that he may be able
to give further consideration to the Inspector's request that the station
operated by the Reverend Mueller be dismantled.
  In its endeavor to ascertain the extent of Chinese laws or regulations
upon this subject, the Legation directed the Counselor of Legation
at Nanking to request the appropriate Chinese authorities to supply
him with the text of any existing law or regulation of the National
Government governing the licensing or prohibition of amateur radio
stations.
  In a telegram of March 19, 11 a. mi., Mr. Peck 59 replied that the
Foreign Office had informed him that the Ministry of Communica-
tions was unable to discover any laws or regulations governing amateur
radios, and that Vice Consul Buss,60 in a conversation with the Director
General of Telephones and Telegraphs received the impression that
there are no Chinese laws forbidding, regulating, or authorizing
amateur radios for sending or receiving communications.
  Respectfully yours,                    NELSON TRUSLER JOHNSON

893.76/19 Telegram
    The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

                                  PEIPING, April 19, 1934-10 a. m.
                                       [Received April 19-6 a. m.]
  182. Shanghai's April 17, 2 p. M.61 Legation has replied as follows:
  "April 19, 9 a. m. Your April 17, 2 p. m. From the information
available the Legation believes that you should refrain from suggest-

9 Willys R. Peck, Counselor of Legation and Consul General at Nanking.
"° Claude A. Buss, former Vice Consul at Nanking (resigned January
28, 1934).
61 Not printed.



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