893.51/4272: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Schurman ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 28—1 p.m.]
127. My 106, April 13, 5 p.m.,55 and 116, April 21, 7 p.m. Group representatives had five-hour meeting with Minister of Finance 27th [Page 540] result of which is embodied in telegram last night to London for four groups56 which please see.
As a result of a meeting at this Legation this morning following identic telegram was agreed upon:
“The representatives of the four Governments met in conference this morning and discussed the identic telegram of April 27th from the representatives of the four groups reporting the results of their meeting with the Minister of Finance.
The American, British and French Ministers agreed to endorse strongly the recommendations of the four groups on the grounds that it appeared to them highly desirable to profit by the present willingness of the Chinese Government to recognize and deal with the Consortium and because they believe that no scheme for debt consolidation is feasible without advances.
They further believe that the proposed money advances can be combined with [reasonable] control.
They also consider it is necessary to keep alive a central government in Peking.
The Japanese Chargé who has just assumed charge while agreeing that a central government should be kept alive stated that he would refer the matter to his Government with a report of the action taken by the three Ministers. He expressed the opinion that the question centered on the matter of advances”.