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  4. Document 706

861.77/2560

The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Harvey ) to the Secretary of State

London , May 24, 1922 .
[Received June 5.]
No. 1330

Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegraphic Instruction No. 104 of April 8, 5 p.m., 1922, relative to the withdrawal of the British member of the Technical Board at Harbin, I have the honor to enclose, herewith, copies in triplicate of a Note, No. F 1735/391/10, dated May 23, 1922, transmitting the reply of the British Foreign Office in regard to this matter.

I have [etc.]

For the Ambassador:
Post Wheeler

Counselor of Embassy
[Enclosure]

The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ( Curzon ) to the American Ambassador ( Harvey )

[ London ,] 23 May, 1922 .
No. F 1735/391/10

Your Excellency: I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 10th, from which I learn that the government of the United States would regard the withdrawal of the British member of the Technical Board at Harbin as most unfortunate at the present junction, and hopes that, if any such action is proposed, it may be deferred for a time at least.

2.
As Your Excellency has stated, the position of the British member has been under consideration, and it has been suggested by His Majesty’s Minister at Peking that some arrangement might be made by which the cost of maintaining him and the other members of the Technical Board would be borne by the Chinese Eastern Railway, whose interests they are helping to serve.
3.
I am glad to note that the United States Government are disposed to consider this suggestion, and also to inform you that while, in view of the considerations mentioned in your letter, His Majesty’s Government agree to the retention of General Beckett for the present, it is feared that his appointment cannot be continued after 31st December, 1922, if the expenditure thereby entailed continues to be a charge to the British Exchequer.

I have [etc.]

(In the absence of the Secretary of State)
B. C. Newton