Research On Disagreement And Cooperationbetween The United States And Britain In The Negotiations On Extraterritoriality(1929-1931)

The concept of extraterritoriality was developedin Classic period,when various countries could enjoy special jurisdiction in another countries with consideration of religious differences.In modern times,western powersestablished extraterritoriality in the Oriental countries through a series of unequal treaties,which was unilateral and seriously violated the sovereignty of these countries.Britain first established extraterritoriality in China.The United States followed suit and expanded the scope of application of extraterritoriality.By the early 20th century,extraterritoriality in China has become a complete system,which included not only churches,schools,but also the special courts for trial and prisons.During the period of National Government,the abolition of the extraterritoriality became an important part of National Government's "sovereignty movement",with the rise of the nationalism in China.The negotiations became a struggle between China and western powers.This competition was not only limited to China and western powers,but also kept between the western powers.In the process of communication,interaction and competition between China and foreign countries,the coordinations between Britain and the United States became an important factor which affected the process of negotiations.Both Britain and the United States advocated a friendly policy to China,but both countries were reluctant to engage in formal negotiations immediately and only agreed to hold informal talks with China,before the formal negotiations began.Insuch predicament,National Government made a statement to the United States,Britain and required the abolishment of extraterritoriality.The United States and Britain conducted a series of communication and reach a common position finally.In the process of communication,the contradiction between the United States and Britain also emerged.Negotiations of the United States and Britain began in December 1929 and January 1930 respectively.As Britain got involved in the talks,American dominance was diminished.The United States was dissatisfied with Britain about not informing it of the basic position of the negotiation.So,the United States began to consider making some concessions to China to dominate the process of negotiations.Stanley K.Hornbeck,a secretary of the Far Eastern Division,put forward "Possible Clauses" on January 13,1930.America's concession,which was strongly opposed,was denounced as "foolish behaviour"by Britain.Soon after,the United States abandoned its original proposal under such strong opposition.The contradiction between the Britain and American made both sides realize that only when they draft a document can they avoid miscommunication.The document was called "Cooperation Draft".The draft was the turning point of the negotiation.The negotiations was conducted separately by Britain and the United States before the adoption of the draft and the limited cooperation occurred only when necessary.The negotiations were led by Britain and the United States played a minor role after the adoption of the draft.On the basis of the "draft cooperation",the United States and Britain formed their own plans:"British plan" and "American plan".In addition to the small differences in expression,the two plans are basically the same.National Government was disappointed by the "plan" submitted by Britain and the United States,and didn't want to accept some terms of the plans.The negotiations reached deadlock.Britain believed it was not urgent to speed up the negotiations,while the United States believed that they should make some concessions in consideration of current situations.So when Britain suspended negotiations,the United States offered to give up the "Power of Evocation" and make some concessions on the legal counsel.The United States emphasized that this concession was made based on the Anglo-American cooperation.However,Britain saw it as an unnegotiated action.After Britain expressed its protest,the United States abandoned its idea quickly and didn't want to make any concessions.Finally,Britain reached an agreement on extraterritoriality with China,while the negotiation between China and the United States were suspended due to the outbreak of the Mukden incident.On the one hand,The negotiation on the extraterritoriality reflects the struggle between the old order and the new order,eastern ideology and western ideology,the traditional foreign policy and the realistic foreign policy.On the other hand,it reflects that the order of Far East areas between the two world wars is a fragile balance based on Anglo-American cooperation and competition.