393.1163/370
The Vice Consul at Tsinan (Clark) to the Minister in China (MacMurray)93
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Legation that the property of the American Presbyterian Mission at Ichowfu is being occupied [Page 478] by troops of the 4th battalion of the 10th regiment under General Kao Kuei-tsu, and that the property of the same mission at Yihsien is being occupied by the troops of the 1st battalion of the 10th regiment also under Kao Kuei-tsu.
I have brought this matter to the attention of the Shantung provincial authorities and have demanded the immediate evacuation of the premises. However, in this connection, I wish to inform the Legation of the procedure that has been followed in this case by the missionary concerned, as it seems to be one that is followed by several missionaries in southern Shantung.
It seems that Dr. C. T. Wang has personally written or spoken to these missionaries and told them to write direct to him in the future when there was any case of the occupation of mission premises, and that he would personally see to it that the premises were evacuated. Mr. T. N. Thompson, superintendent of the mission at Ichowfu, has done this in both of the present cases. In each case he had first written directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking, and then has enclosed a copy of that letter when he has notified this Consulate.
Before calling the attention of the missionaries to the terms of the treaties which provide that the consul shall be the medium of communication between resident foreigners and the Chinese authorities, I have the honor to request the Legation’s opinion as to whether or not the possible advantage to be gained by this direct communication is sufficient to warrant its continuance.
I have [etc.]
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in his despatch No. 2372, October 11; received November 8, 1929.↩