893.00/4312: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 28—3:22 p.m.]
176. Your 98, April 26, 3 p.m. Referring to the Department’s number 180, July 16th, 1920. I have to report that one reason which strongly influenced diplomatic body to revive now its note to Chinese Government of July 8th, 1920,29 which it did on April 26th, was that such action at the present time would not be open to the charge of partisanship as it might be if taken after hostilities had actually occurred. Diplomatic body gives notice that Chinese Government will be held responsible for damage to persons and properties of their nationals and then adds “the diplomatic body express, therefore, the hope that strictest measures will be taken to avoid the entry of armed troops into Peking and the use over the city of bombarding aeroplanes.”
Chinese Government not siding with either party and seeking peace. First, Ninth and Thirteenth Divisions now stationed near [Page 695] Peking as well as gendarmerie and police neutral in controversy and supporting Government.
About 800 Americans now living in and about Peking outside of Legation quarter.
- See telegram no. 53, July 28, 1920, from the Minister in China, Foreign Relations, 1920, vol. i, p. 456.↩