393.1123 Lincheng/136: Telegram

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

199. My 193, June 1, 4 p.m. Congressman Wainwright left Tsaochuang on June 5, noon, and arrived Peking about noon today in advance of international commission. He reports that “representative of Governor of the Province and the bandits appear to have arrived at an agreement by which every bandit who has of [a?] rifle or a pistol will be enlisted in the Army; that the counting of the arms and preparation of a muster roll or enlistment is proceeding; that the bandits are not satisfied with the guarantee of the Government as to their pay, but will be satisfied if Roy Anderson, an American citizen whom they seem to absolutely trust, will guarantee that they will receive their pay for three years, which is the term of enlistment; that Anderson is willing to give his personal guarantee, provided that he is guaranteed in writing, also personally, by Tsao Kun; that harmony appears to have been restored to the bandit camp and the captives not to be suffering in health, though they are getting somewhat low in spirit; and that there is no definite indication of how long it will be before they are released.” I asked Congressman if Anderson’s guarantee would be interpreted by bandits as guarantee of American Government. He replied that possibility had never occurred to him, but he was convinced that there was no ground for apprehension.

Following released captives lunched with me today: Major and Mrs. Allen and son aged 12 years and Henley. All are perfectly [Page 653] well and normal except Henley, who is suffering from nervous overstrain.

Schurman