393.1123 Lincheng/239: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Schurman)
212. Department’s No. 211, October 4, 1 p.m. 1923.
Minister Sze left at the Department late yesterday afternoon the following copy of a telegram, dated October 3, which he had just received from Minister Koo:
“I hear Diplomatic Corps met formally Monday and decided to maintain original demands en bloc. Views of small Powers were reported moderate but were overruled by the big Powers. I hear counter reply will be very brief though polite. Please intimate to Mr. Hughes sheer insistence on original demands without given reason would create impression that the Diplomatic Corps including America wish to impose its will on China as law in a matter which is clearly subject to negotiation as certain tenor of Mr. Hughes instructions to Mr. Schurman. Waichiao Pu is doing its best in difficult situation, for example I paid Coltman’s indemnity21 out of Ministry’s own fund to close the case as Finance Ministry deaf to our appeals.”