393.1123 Lincheng/241: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 9—12:55 a.m.]
336. My 328, October 2 and penultimate paragraph of my 226, June 15. It was my object to bring about a situation prior to the presidential elections which would make it necessary for the new administration to yield to all the demands of the diplomatic corps note of August 10 regarding the Lincheng outrage or lose the good [Page 706] will of all the foreign governments. This policy has had an entirely satisfactory result. The diplomatic corps have intimated by unanimous agreement that they would not attend a Presidential diplomatic reception to be held tomorrow after the President’s inauguration. The Government and the managers were anxious to invite us to this reception. As a result of this decision emissaries have come to the dean and to the heads of missions to learn on what conditions the Lincheng affair can be settled. The diplomatic corps held meeting today. The dean and Foreign Minister Koo are now in conference. The outlook for a settlement is good.
The chief difficulty is the dismissal of Tuchun Tien. It is possible that the diplomatic corps may accept the compromise of resignation attributed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in my 325 of September 28. In that event, however, I shall insist that it be stipulated that Tien shall not be appointed to any office in the future.