File No. 5315/348.
Chargé Fletcher to the Secretary of State.
Peking, July 14, 1909.
Mr. Fletcher informs the department that he has just received a note from the foreign office quoting a communication from Chang [Page 172] to the effect that the latter consented to delay memorializing for edict in the hope that an early settlement could be reached by the bankers, but that Chang now has been informed that American bankers were offered one-fourth of the Hankow-Szechuen loan and that they had declined, claiming one-fourth of the Hankow-Canton loan as well, to finance which Americans have no right and for the construction of which Chang is unwilling again to borrow American capital. Mr. Fletcher says that as the American bankers have refused the offer, which Chang considers just and equitable, if American bankers persist in their refusal Chang will delay memorializing for edict only a few days more, and he requested foreign office to notify Mr. Fletcher to this effect. Adds that the foreign office hopes that stringent orders will be sent to the American bankers to agree immediately and it requests speedy reply.