861.77/2100: Telegram
The Minister in China (Crane) to the Secretary of State
[Paraphrase]
Peking, June 4,
1921—6 p.m.
[Received June 4—3:27 p.m.]
[Received June 4—3:27 p.m.]
209. Your cable of May 17, no. 147.
- 1.
- I have talked this matter over thoroughly with Liu Ching-shan and with Wang (my telegram No. 203, May 26) as well as with Chang Tso-lin, under whose supreme command are all the Chinese [Page 587] troops in the Railway Zone, and with the Minister of Communications. Among them all I found a spirit of accommodation. I found them apparently willing to give the Board their hearty cooperation. They admitted the facts in regard to interference but alleged certain of the Board’s policies as extenuation in part. Too great influence on the Board’s policies by Russians was notably alleged. They pleadectthe need for military precautions on the part of the Chinese against the menace of Russian reactionary forces. I am hopeful that Liu will find some solution. He has gone to Harbin to make a month’s preliminary investigation. Liu is conciliatory and is pro-American. … I have taken occasion to present strongly the need for complete cooperation by China with the Board at the present critical time and for disregarding unimportant differences of opinion as to the details of policy and for giving support to the Board in its efforts to keep the operation of the railway from being interrupted. Apparently the Chinese are inclined to share in this view. On this account until Liu returns I shall not mention the subject to the Japanese, French, or British. For the prestige of the United States it is better to try to arrange the matter alone.
- 2.
- In regard to interference by the Japanese I would suggest that if any representations are made they should be made at Tokyo. If the matter were presented here the Japanese Legation could only take the question up with the Japanese Foreign Office. Johnson has been informed and a complete report is being mailed.
Crane