861.77/1629: Telegram
The President of the Technical Board (Stevens) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 30—5:39 a.m.]
Japanese owe one and one quarter million dollars on their contribution to the Allied fund in aid of railways; delaying rapid development. [Page 703] I cannot get any definite promise as to time of payment, consequently can make no commitments. The greater part of the Chinese Eastern coal supply comes from Japanese mines, Mukden; board has paid for this from May, 1919, to March, 1920, both inclusive, nearly two million yen using Japanese funds. I feel that sudden demand will be made for the payment of the balance remaining due on penalty of stopping supply as once threatened. Such action would involve stopping operation which, from the draft of the telegraphic communications with the Japanese member [of] the Board now in Tokyo, I think they hope will happen. We have usually not more than ten days’ supply on hand. Will the Department cable International Banking Corporation, Harbin, [five hundred?] thousand dollars to be used at my discretion in an emergency?59 I feel that the stoppage [of] operations would facilitate Japanese plan. Please advise without delay.
- The Secretary of State replied by telegram of July 31, 5 p.m.: “Your July 21, 11 a.m. Remittance authorized. … Colby.”↩