Office of the Historian

893.51/4704: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Bell) to the Secretary of State

[Extracts]
Peking, October 22, 1924—4 p.m.
[Received October 22—9:55 a.m.]

398. My 397, October 20, 5 p.m. 1. Following from American consul Canton:

“October 21, 3 p.m. Your October 20, 5 p.m. Three British and two French river gunboats now in port, also United States ship Helena and Pampanga. United States ship Sacramento at Hongkong. Understand that Russian cruiser Vorowsky still at Whampoa. Japanese consul tells me he will not ask for naval vessel until necessity evident.

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[Page 414]

Understand that everything essential in customhouse has already been transferred to Shameen and that commissioner could carry on from concession even if Sun seized customs building. Such course might be preferable to forcible measures by the powers.”

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Bell