493.11/1357: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
694. Legation’s 202 [602], August 5, 9 a.m.
- 1.
- Bennett, American treasurer of the China Foundation, has
transmitted to the Legation a copy of the following letter, dated
August 11th, addressed to him by Tsai Yuan-pei, chairman of the
National Educational Council:
“I beg to advise having received an official letter number 3212 from the Secretary, Department of the Nationalist Government, stating:
‘We have received the following instructions from the Nationalist Government: “The request of the National Educational Council to revise the regulations governing the Board of Directors of the China Foundation for the Promotion [of] Education and Culture, is hereby acquiesced to: the original Board of Directors of the said Foundation is to be canceled.”
We have also received the following instructions: (here follows list of appointees; see legation’s telegram above mentioned).
While we shall despatch the relative certificates of appointment and make the instructions public, we quote the instructions for your reference. Enclosure: 14 certificates of appointment.[’]
I accordingly advise you of the subject matter and enclose herewith one certificate of appointment. Kindly acknowledge receipt.”
- 2.
- Bennett comments as follows:
“I do not propose to answer this communication until she has [it has been?] indicated whether this illegal certificate is acceptable. So far as I am aware the Chinese members adversely affected by this action have not resigned from the Board of Trustees, and considering [Page 547] the constitution and bylaws of the Board of Trustees, I question the legality of these new appointments. It is also open to question if this government-appointed board can either legally give a receipt for funds received or legally disburse existing funds.”
- 3.
- Roger S. Greene, American member, has received a similar letter. In reply to my oral inquiry, he stated that, after waiting some time, he had given notice of his acceptance of the appointment.
- 4.
- Since the monthly remittance for the China Foundation has just been received, I request the Department’s instruction with regard to the issues raised in the Legation’s August 5, 9 a.m.
- Telegram in two sections.↩