1255 57 STAT.] CHINA-CRIMINAL OFFENSES, JURISDICTION-MAY 21, 1943 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 persons who are not members of the United States forces, but where members 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 appropriate 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 juris- diction a position corresponding to that of the United States forces in China. "It is proposed that the foregoing arrangement shall be in effect during the present war and for a period of six months thereafter. "If the above arrangement is acceptable to the Chinese Govern- ment, this note and the reply thereto accepting the provisions outlined shall be regarded as placing on record the understand- ing between our two Governments." I have the honor to inform you that I am authorized to confirm, on behalf of the National Government of the Republic of China, that the understanding arrived at between our respective Governments regarding jurisdiction over criminal offenses which may be committed by members of the United States armed forces in China, with a provision for placing the said understanding on a reciprocal basis to ensure to such Chinese forces as may be stationed in territory under United States jurisdiction a position corresponding to that of the United States forces in China, is as set forth in your Note under reply. The present Note and your Note under reply will accordingly be regarded as placing this understanding on record. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my high consideration. KUO-CHENG Wu Mr. GEORGE ATCHESON, Jr., Charge d'Affaires a.i ., American Embassy, Chungking.
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