393.1123 Reimert, William A.: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 4—9:12 a.m.]
3. Legation’s despatch no. 350, January 30, 1922.32 Presidential order of December 27, 1923, authorizes cancellation of the mandate ordering trial and punishment of Chang Ching-yao. This is believed to be a political move to please Chang Tso-lin,33 Chang Ching-yao being his personal friend. I was not consulted either before or after the granting of the pardon. American prestige is closely involved and we shall undoubtedly be severely criticized if we do not enter emphatic protest.
I do not think it would be possible to secure withdrawal of the pardon; but I request authority to lodge a very strong protest against it as a violation of the assurance given in the third paragraph the Chinese Foreign Office note of October 7, 1920, see despatch number 272,32 same date, adding that such procedure is a discourtesy [Page 605] to my Government and also is an act that cannot but affect most seriously the confidence my Government can in the future place in the official utterances of the Government of China.
I think the substance of the protest should be made public and I propose to inform the diplomatic body of the circumstances.