893.113/85: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Crane ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received January 22—10:21 a.m.]
50. My 43, January 20, 6 p.m. Consul Canton reports that Davis Company turned over arsenal engineering works to the James A. Rabbitt Corporation, New York, who are now retained as consulting engineers.
Consul Hong Kong reports that Davis and Company incorporated Hong Kong August 30, 1918, and maintain office there. Officials of the company are American citizens. Managing director as well as chief and controlling shareholder is Paul Davis, American citizen by birth, and widow American citizen. In interview with Premier today he stated that an essential portion of arsenal equipment imported by American Company into Canton is now stored in Godowns, Shameen, and he requested that it be not delivered to Kuangtung authorities who could thus renew warfare. He said that Central Government would take over purchase, taking delivery after cancellation of arms embargo. He stated emphatically his intention to unite country without resorting to fighting and asked cooperation of American Government.
Request instruction as to action upon the Premier’s request.