Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1922, Volume I

393.00/8: Telegram

The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State

Peking, December 6, 1922—4 p.m.
[Received 5:25 p.m.]

480. My telegram 466, November 29, 4 p.m. International commission consists of American and British military attaches and French, Italian and Japanese, Chinese secretaries, Cheney³⁶ president by seniority.

General Wu Pei-fu replied to commission’s telegram³⁷ expressing regrets at his failure to effect release captured foreigners, alleging progress and suggesting on that account “coming of commission might perhaps be deferred.” Foreign Office covering note 4th and unperfected treaty representations press same suggestion.

Diplomatic body met to-day to consider matter. All approved postponing commission’s departure from 7th to 14th. I suggested our resolution should state such action taken not only at request of Wu and Foreign Office but also in view of announcement new Cabinet December 10 and this was adopted.

From absolutely reliable sources we learn Wu was very angry at publication diplomatic body’s telegram³⁸ holding him jointly responsible for continued captivity of foreigners and denounced Foreign Office for sending it to him integrally instead of in abstract.

Schurman

36. Col. Sherwood A. Cheney, American military attaché at Peking.
37. Neither telegram printed.
38. Not printed.