893.00 Nanking/237: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Mayer)
Washington, March 24,
1928—6 p.m.
106. Following for Minister. Your March 23, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- Department’s information regarding possibility of effecting a
settlement of Nanking incident includes
- (a)
- Reported announcement by Huang Fu of willingness to settle outstanding issues (Cunningham’s telegram 42, February 28, Noon13) and similar declaration to you. (Your telegram February 29, 5 p.m.)
- (b)
- Press telegram from Shanghai March 19 referring to declaration by Huang Fu that the Nationalist Government is anxious to make reparation for Nanking losses and that discussions are in progress with British Minister for the purpose of establishing precedent for settlement of American and other claims.
- (c)
- Telegram March 13, 4 p.m., Cunningham to Legation reported to the Department in the Legation’s telegram 183, March 23, 6 p.m., in part confirms (b) by referring to “tentative agreement” between British and the Nanking authorities regarding claims for reparations and also to inquiries made by Huang Fu as to amounts of American official and unofficial losses.
- 2.
- Your telegram March 12, 8 p.m., to Cunningham repeated to Department in the latter’s March 13, 2 p.m., gives no clue to acceptable features in the proposals made by Nanking authorities. Is it to be assumed that there was no item which might be made a starting point for profitable discussion?
- 3.
- You will bear in mind the Department’s hope that the issues involved may be disposed of and its desire that the negotiations proceed as rapidly as circumstances warrant.
- 4.
- Department requests information concerning alleged tentative agreement between British and Nanking authorities.
- 5.
- Paxton may proceed with you and per diem authorized.
Olds