國民政府與美國政府交涉解決十六年三月二十四日南京事件之文件 (民國17年3月30日)

中美解決寧案交涉文件
下列文件係用中英文同時發表
中華民國國民政府 外交部長陳友仁
美國駐華特命 全權公使馬慕瑞
中華民國17年（1928年）3月30日
1928年3月30日于南京

中文版

國民政府致美公使照會（十七年三月三十日）

　　大中華民國國民政府外交部長爲照會事：關於去年三月二十四日所發生之 南京事件，國民政府依據本部長與 美國公使自今年二月二十六日開始討論後互相同意之大綱，準備立卽解決，藉敦 中 美兩國國民固有之睦誼。茲本部長以國民政府名義，對於本事件，雖經調查證實，完全爲共產黨於國民政府未建都 南京前所煽動而發生，但國民政府仍負其責。茲因對於 美國國旗及 美國政府代表等有不敬之處，領館曁僑民受有生命財產上之損失，不得不以極誠懇之態度，向貴國政府深示歉意。國民政府對於在 華美人生命財產，迭經本其素持之政策，通令軍民長官繼續切實保護。現在共產黨及其足以破壞 中 美人民友誼之惡勢力，業已消滅，國民政府深信此後保護外人，自必較易爲力；故特擔任對於 美僑生命及其正當事業，決不致再有同樣之暴行及鼓動。至當時被共產黨煽動而參加不幸事件之該軍隊，業已解散，國民政府且已施行切實辦法，以懲辦肇事兵卒及其他人。此則本部長堪爲貴公使附帶通知者也。國民政府依照國際公法通行原則，對於 美國在 甯領館員及 美僑所受生命財產上之損失，擔任充分賠償。爲此，國民政府提議組織 中 美調査委員會，以證實 美人從有關係之 華人方面所確受之損失，並估計每案中所應賠償之數目。相應照請査照見復爲荷。須至照會者。右照會

　　大美國特命駐 華全權公使 馬

　　國民政府外交部長 黃郛

美公使答覆國民政府照會（十七年三月三十日）

　　爲照覆事：准貴部長本日照會，內開（中略）等由，准此，本公使深知貴國人民於不爲惡勢力所煽動之時，素有公道及自敬之心；且深信對於去年三月二十四日 南京事件，貴國有思想人民，莫不慊憾；並信所有該事件各犯，尤以親身負責之 林祖涵一名爲最要，其懲辦一層，必能依照表示，從速完全履行。故本公使代表本國政府承受貴部長來文內開各條件，認爲因 南京事件而發生各問題，確切解決。 美政府深信此次解決之誠摰精神，希望所有各該條件，誠實履行，藉以表明 南京當局對於 中 美兩國人民他方面之關係，亦必以誠實與善意對待可也。相應照覆。須至照覆者。

國民政府對美艦砲擊之要求（十七年三月三十日）

　　大中華民國國民政府外交部長爲照會事：關於去年三月二十四日 南京事件發生之問題，業經本日換文解決，惟本部長尤有爲貴公使聲明者：去年三月二十四日，貴國停泊 南京江面之 諾亞及 潑利司登兩 美艦，向 南京城內 薩家灣開火，爲此國民政府深望貴國政府對於此舉，表示歉意。相應照請査照見復爲荷。須至照會者。右照會

　　大美國特命駐 華全權公使 馬

　　國民政府外交部長 黃郛

美政府對砲擊表示抱憾（十七年三月三十日）

　　爲照覆事：准貴部長本日來文，關於去年三月二十四日停泊 南京江面之 諾亞曁 潑利司登號 美兵艦對於 南京薩家灣開火一事，深望 美政府表示歉忱等由，准此，查當日所開炮火，實係保護炮，專對 美領事及其眷屬館員曁他人因無管束兵丁毆擊迫而躱避之房屋鄰近地點而發，當時此項人衆生命危險，故開炮一層，不但藉以保護，且爲一時思想得到之惟一辦法，俾生命確實瀕危之駐甯各 美僑，亦得離境。因此， 美國政府頗感 美國兵艦不得已而採取此種手段。蓋當時情形，無法制止，藉以保護 南京美僑生命，美國政府深爲抱憾也。相應照覆。須至照覆者。

國民政府要求修約之照會（十七年三月三十日）

　　大中華民國國民政府外交部長爲照會事：關於去年三月二十四日 南京事件發生之問題，業經本日換文解決茲國民政府外交部長希望 中 美兩國在外交上開一新紀元，本部長幷提議以平等及互相尊重領土主權爲原則，修訂現行條約，並解決其他懸案，爲進一步之接洽。相應照請査照見復爲荷。須至照會者。右照會

　　大美國特命駐 華全權公使 馬

　　國民政府外交部長 黃郛

美政府對要求修約之答覆（十七年三月三十日）

　　爲照覆事：准本日來文，內開：『貴部長希望 中 美兩國在外交上開一新紀元，幷以平等及互相尊重領土主權爲原則，修訂現行條約，並解決其他懸案，爲進一步之接洽』等由，准此，查修約問題，雖未能認與 南京事件向 美政府及 美籍人民賠償一層有何關係，然本公使現時仍願將上月與貴部長晤談時所發表各節，再爲貴部長陳之：

　　中 美邦交素稱敦睦，勿庸追憶。貴國人民自謀發展，使國家生存穩固，且欲實現其願望，以實施不爲特種義務所限制之主權，此種願望，本國政府及人民深表同情。揆諸歷來 美政府行動以及去年一月二十七日國務卿宣佈政策，明矣。故 美政府希望當時所以必須載在舊約各條款之情形，有以改善，俾得隨時遇機，將所有不需要及不妥當之約章，得經雙方同意，正式修改。爲此， 美政府希冀貴國有代表貴國人民之政治施行實權，俾得誠實履行貴國一方面關於修改約章所有應盡之義務可也。相應照覆，須至照覆者。

英文版

　　The note and the reply thereto exchanged between the Minister for Foreign Aflairs，Nan-king，and the Ameriean Minister，in settlement of the Nanking incident，follow，together with two additional notes and replies.

　　All notes are dated Shangbai，March30，1928.

NOTE

　　From the Minister for Foreign Affairs，Nan king，to the American Minister.

　　"With reference to the Nanking incident which took place on the24th of March last year， the Government has the honour to infomn the American Minister that，animated by a desire to promote the most friendly feelings happily subsis ting between the American and Chinese peoples，the Nationalist Government are prepared to bring about an immediate settlement of the case，along the lines already agreed upon as a result of the diseussions between us begiuning from the 26th of February this year.

　　"In the name of the Nationalist Government，the Minister for Foreign Affairs bas the honour to convey in the sincerest manner to the Government of the United States of America their pro-found regret at the indignities to the American Flag and to the official represen tatives of that Government，the loss of property sustained by the American Consulate，and the personal injuries and material damages done to the American residents.Although it has been found，after investigation of the incident，that it was entirely instigated by the Communists prior to the establishment of the Nationalist Government at Nanking，the Nationalist Government neverthe-less accept the responsibility therefor.

　　"The Nationalist Government bave. in pur-suance of their established policy，repeatedly issued orders to the Civil and Military authorities for the continuous and effective protection of the lives and property of American residents in China.With the extermination of the Communists and their evil influences which tended to impair the friendly relations between the Chinese and Ameriean peoples，the Nationalist Government feel confident that the task of protecting foreigners will henceforth be rendered easier；and the Nationalist Government under-take specifically that there will be no sunilar violence or agitation against American lives or legitimate interests.

　　"In this connection，the Minister for Foreign Affairs has the pleasure to add that the troops of the particular division which took part in the unfortunate incident，at the instigation of the Communists，have been disbanded. The Na-tionalist Government have in addition taken effective steps for the punishment of the soldiers and other persons implicated.

　　"In accordance with the well accepted prin-ciples of International law，the Nationalist Government undertake to make compensation in full for all personal injuries and material damages done to the American Consulate and to its officials and to American residents and their property at Nanking.

　　"The Nationalist Government propose that for this purpose there be instituted a Sino-American Joint Commission to verify the actual injuries and damages suffered by the American residents at the hands of the Chinese concerned，and to assess the amount of compensation due in each case."

REPLY

　　From the American Minister to the Minister for Foreign Affairs，Nanking.

　　"The American Minister has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Note of this day's date from the Minister for Foreign Affairs，which reads as follows:

　　'With reference to the Nanking incident which took place on the24thof March last year，the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist Government has the honour to inform the American Minister that，animated by a desire to promote the most friendly feelings happily subsisting between the American and the Chinese peoples，the Nationalist Govern-ment are prepared to bring about an immediate settlement of the case，along the lines already agreed upon as a sesult of the discussions be-tween us beginning from the26thFebriary this year.

　　'In the name of Nationalist Government，the Minister for Foreign Affairs has the honor to convey in the sincerest manner to the Govern ment of the Un ited States of America their profound regret at the indign ities to the American Flag and to the official representa-tives of that Government，the loss of property sustained by the American Consnlate，and the person al in juries and material damages done to the American residents.Although it has been found，after in vestigation of the in cident，that it was entirely instigated by the Com-munists prior to the establishment of the Nationalist Government at Naking，the Na-tionalist Government nevertheless accept the responsibility therefor.

　　'The Nationalist Government have，in pursuance of their established policy，repeated-ly issued orders to the Civil and Military authorities for the contin uous and effective protection of the lives and property of Ameri-can residents in China.With the extermina-tion of the Commun ists and their evil influ-ences which tended to impair the friendly relations between the Chinese and American peoples，the Nationalist Government feel con-fident that the task of protecting foreigners will henceforth be rendered easier；and the Nationalist Government undertake specifically that there will be no similar violence or agitation against A merican lives or legitimate interests.

　　'In this connection，the Minister for Foreign Affairs has the pleasure to add that the troops of the particular division which took part in the unfortunate incident，at the instigation of the Communists，have been dis-banded.The Nationalist Government bave in addition taken effective steps for the puuish-ment of the soldiers and other persons im-plicated.

　　'In accordance with the well accepted principles of International Law，the National-ist Government undertaken to make compen sation in full for all personal injuries and material damages done to the American Con-sulate and to its officials and to American residents and their property at Naking.

　　'The Nationalist Government propose that for this purpose there be instituted a SinoAmerican Joint Commission to verify the actual injuries and damages suffered by the American residents at the hands of the Chineseconcerned， and to assess the amount of com-pensstion due in each case.'

　　"In the full realization of the in herent jus-tice and honor of the Chinese people when not affected by the incitations of subversive influences， and with a deep appreciation of the sorrow and humiliation caused to all thoughtful elements of that people by the Nanking incideut，and believing that the earnest given as to the punishment of these guilty of the incident will be completely fulfilled at the earliest opportunity-particularly as regards Lin Tsu-han，who was personally responsible for the incident-the Ame-rican Minister accepts in behalf of his Government the terms set forth in the Note ftom the Minister for Foreign Affairs in definite settlement of the question arising out of that incident.

　　"Confident of the spirit of sincerity in which the present settlement has boon made，the Ame-rican Government looks to the loyal fulfillment of the said terms of settlement，as affording a measure of the good faith and good will with which it may anticipate being met，by the Nanking authorities，in other pbases of the relation-ships between the American and the Chinese peoples."

FIRST ADDITIONAL NOTE

　　From the Minister for Foreign Affairs，Nan-king，to the American Minister.

　　"Referring to the notcs oxchanged this day on the subject of the settlement of the questions arising out of the Nanking incident of March24th，1927，the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist Government has the honor to in vite the attention of the American Minister to the fact that on that date fire was opened upon Secony Hill，at Nanking，by the American war vessels，NOA and PRESTON，then lying in port.In view of this fact the Nationalist Government earnestly bope that the American Government will express regret at this action."

REPLY TO FIRST ADDITIONAL NOTE

　　From the American Minister to the Minister for Foreign Affairs，Nanking.

　　"The American Minister has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a note of to-day's date from the Minister for Foreign Affairs in which reference was made to the fact that on March24th，1927，the American war vessels，NOA and PRESTON，then lying in port，opened fire upon Socony Hill at Nanking，and in which the hope was expressed that the American Government would indicate their regret at this action.

　　"In reply，the American Minister has to point out that the firing referred to was in fact a protective barrage，strictly confined to the imme-diate neighborhood of the house in which the American Consul and his family and staff，toge-ther with mapy others，had been driven to seek refuge from the assaults of an unrestrained soldiery；and not only did it provide the only conceivable means by which the lives of this party were saved from the danger that imminently threatened them，but it also made possible the evacustion of the other American residents at Nanking，who were in actual peril of their lives.The American Government therefore feels that its naval vesseis had no alternative to the action taken；however deeply it deplores that circumstances beyond its control should havenecessitat-ed the adoption of such measores for the protection of the lives of its citizens at Nanking."

SECOND ADDITIONAL NOTE

　　From the Minister for Foreign Affairs，Nan-king to the American Minister.

　　"Referring to the notes exchanged this day on the subject of the settlement of the questions arising out of the Nanking incident of March24th，1927，the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist Government has the honor to express the hope that a new epoch will begin in the diplomatic relations between China and the United States，and to suggest that further steps may be taken for the revision of the existing treaties and the readjustment of ontstanding questions on the basis of equality and mutual respect for territorial sovereignty."

REPLY TO SECOND ADDITIONAL NOTE

　　From the American Minister to the Minister for Foreign Affairs，Nanking.

　　"The American Minister has the houor to acknowledge the receipt of a note of to-day's date in which the Minister for Foreign Affairs ex-pressed the hope that a new epoch would begin in the diplomatic relations between the United States and China，and that further steps might be taken for the revision of the existing treaties and the readjustment of outstanding questions on the basis of equality and mutual respect for territorial sovereignty.

　　"Although the question of treaty revision can scarcely be considered germane to that of amends to the American Government and its nationals for the Nanking incident，the Ame-rican Minister is notaverse from setting forth at this time what he has already made known in that regard to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in coversations withhim last month.

　　"It is unnecessary to recall the traditional friendship existing between the United States and China.As is manifest alike from the course of action consistently pursued by the American Government and from the statement of policy made by the Secretary of State on January27th，1927，the Government and the people of the United States are in full spmpathy with the desire of the Chinese people to develop a sound national life of their own and to realize their aspirations for a sovereignty so far as possible unrestricted by obligations of an exceptional character.with that in view，the American Gevernment enter-tains the hope，that the remedying of the condi-tions which necessitated the incorporation of such provisions in the earlier treaties may from time to time afford opportunities for the revision，in due form and by mutnal consent，of such treaty sti-pulations as may have become unnecessary or inappropriate.

　　"To that end，the American Government looks forward to the hope that there may be developed an administration so farrepresentative of the Chinese people，and so far exercising real authority，as to be capable of assuring the actnal fulfilment in good faith of any obligations such as China would of necessity have for its part to undertake incidentally to the desired readjust-ment of treaty relations."