493.11 N 15/143: Telegram
The Minister in China ( MacMurray ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 30—2:40 p.m.]
290. My 260, April 23, 5 p.m. Following from Cunningham:
“April 28, 1 p.m. Referring to Legation’s 85, April 26, 1 p.m.22 Patton with concurrence of his local associates glad to accept designation but upon reference to Presbyterian Board [of] Foreign Missions, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, it refuses to decide prior to May 14th and inclined to disapprove missionaries’ serving on ‘Political Indemnity Commissions’. The same objection would apply [to] Lowrie, being of the same mission.
2. Patton confidentially expresses belief that board misunderstands functions of Commission and may believe that he will be called upon a yet unsettled question of imposition of indemnity possibly of punitive nature.22a Accordingly, venture to suggest that the Department take up matter with board, making it perfectly clear that Patton is merely to participate in adjudication of a settlement offered by the Chinese Government and accepted by American Government. Since names of Commissioners should be announced by April 30th, prompt action by the Department is obviously necessary.”
I beg to recommend that the Department take action suggested.