893.51/2584: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State
Peking, December
18, 1919, 6 p.m.
[Received December 18, 10.32 a.m.]
[Received December 18, 10.32 a.m.]
According to an article of the Pacific Development Company’s loan agreement, the Wine and Tobacco Bureau is to be reorganized with an American [co-director] general. The French Minister has protested and demands that no reorganization shall be undertaken except under French supervision. Am I authorized to support the American appointment thereby dissociating this from the loan question? I regard this matter as of vital importance to American prestige in China and ask an early reply.
Tenney