861.77/1523: Telegram
The Consul at Harbin (Jenkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:35 p.m.]
Referring to Department’s telegram of May 3 [5], 3 p.m. Chinese Eastern Railway charter originally provided for board of nine directors elected by the stockholders, chairman to be appointed by Chinese Government. From Boxer uprising until 1917 Chinese made no appointment but in latter year stockholders meeting invited Chinese to appoint member on board. Chinese accepted again naming chairman. About six months ago three more Chinese were admitted to the board and recently one more making five in all. With the exception of chairman, legal status of Chinese members regarded as somewhat doubtful because their election irregular.