393.1163Am3/97
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Chargé in China (Perkins)39
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a letter which the Consulate General has received from the Very Right Reverend J. A. O’Shea of Kanchow, Kiangsi Province, together with a copy of this office’s reply,40 informing Bishop O’Shea that a copy of his letter has been forwarded to the American Legation at Peiping for appropriate action.
It will be noted from a perusal of Bishop O’Shea’s letter that he feels very strongly that the National Government of the Republic of China has done little in south Kiangsi to justify its declarations to protect foreign lives and property and that he states that his mission has borne at heavy cost “the inefficiency and culpable neglect of the young government”. The Legation’s attention is particularly invited to paragraphs five and six of the letter, wherein Bishop O’Shea requests that the Nanking Government be informed that his mission will demand the right of indemnification for damages inflicted on its property and further requests that that government be urged to send reinforcements to south Kiangsi. In connection with the matter of sending reinforcements please refer to my telegram No. 170 of December 9, 3 p.m.
I have [etc.]