File No. 893.811/129.

The Chinese Minister to the Secretary of State.

No. 6.]

Sir: With reference to the board of engineers to be composed of Colonel William L. Sibert as chief and Mr. Arthur P. Davis and Professor D. W. Mead to proceed to China to make a supplementary examination of the Hwai River region, I am authorized by my instructions to say that the Government of the Republic of China desires the board to come to China at as early a date as possible.

I have already had the pleasure of informing my Government by cable of the designation of Colonel Sibert as chief of the board.

Accept [etc.]

Kai Fu Shah
.