57 STAT.] CHINA-CRIMINALI OFFENSES, JURISDICTION-MAY 21, 1943 The competent United States authorities will be prepared to co- operate with the authorities of China in setting up a satisfactory pro- cedure for affording such mutual assistance as may be required in making investigations and collecting evidence with respect to offenses alleged to have been committed by members of the armed forces of the United States. As a general rule it would probably be desirable that preliminary action should be taken by the Chinese authorities on behalf of the United States authorities where the witnesses or other persons from whom it is desired to obtain testimony are not members of the United States forces. In prosecutions in Chinese courts of per- sons who are not members of the United States forces, but where mem- bers of such forces are in any way concerned, the service authorities of the United States will be glad to render such assistance as is possible in obtaining testimony of members of such forces or in making appro- priate investigations. Inasmuch as the interests of our common cause will best be served by provision that the foregoing arrangement may be placed on a reciprocal basis, the Government of the United States will be ready to make like arrangements to ensure to such Chinese forces as may be stationed in territory under United States jurisdiction a position cor- responding to that of the United States forces in China. It is proposed that the foregoing arrangement shall be in effect dur- ing the present war and for a period of six months thereafter. If the above arrangement is acceptable to the Chinese Government, this note and the reply thereto accepting the provisions outlined shall be regarded as placing on record the understanding between our two Governments. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration. GEORGE ATCIIESON, Jr. His Excellency Dr. K. C. Wu, PoliticalVice Minister in charge of MinisterialAffairs, Ministry of ForeignAffairs, Chungking. 1249 Mutual assistance in preliminary action. Reciprocal basis. Period of operation.
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