861.77/2531: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 15—11:28 a.m.]
220. Your 82, April 8, 6 p.m.72 British Minister telegraphing his Government that he and I agree that proposal that the Chinese Eastern [Page 895] Railway bear the cost of Technical Board is undesirable on its own merits on the following grounds:
Loss of independence and prestige; already excessive administrative budget of the railway and possible encouragement to the existing agitation against foreign participation in the management. British Minister adding that I hope that question of withdrawal of British representative may be held over pending further discussion between the United States and Great Britain.
Stevens informed.