893.51/4463: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 16—9:42 a.m.]
405. Your 250, December 15, noon. Substance communicated to Jenkins.
Following just received from Jenkins:
“December 15, 4 p.m. Norman informs me that on (19th?) Sun will order commissioner of customs to retain revenues collected at Canton but that Sun promises not to follow up with any forcible [Page 573] action for the present. Believe this will ease situation as Norman thinks that further negotiations [might] now be possible. Senior consul telegraphing above to dean. Our destroyers and additional British ships arriving tomorrow. Antiforeign propaganda continues, meeting of labor unions called for tomorrow.”
Radio from commander of South China Patrol states four American destroyers with marines and British gunboat with marines arrived last evening.
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