031.11 American Museum of Natural History (4th Asiatic)/23: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
460. Your No. 170, May 22, 7 p.m.28
- 1.
- In response to personal telegram I had sent him May 22 urging facilitation of arrangements to avoid necessity of the American Museum abandoning plans for further scientific exploration in China, Doctor Wang handed me June 4 a note stating that permission had been given for Andrews “to proceed before June 15th to be accompanied by a proper number of Chinese specialists with the understanding that the excavated materials shall be disposed of in accordance with the regulations governing excavations in China which are being drawn up,” and asking for telegraphic word whether this arrangement would be agreeable to Andrews. In doing so Wang stated that this was admittedly unsatisfactory but the best he had been able to do in the matter thus far, and urged that I assure Andrews that he might start on his expedition in reliance upon Wang’s personal assurance that everything would be arranged to his satisfaction.
- 2.
- On consultation with Andrews I telegraphed Wang June 7th that the museum had instructed him not to proceed without definite understanding regarding disposition of collections.
- 3.
- Andrews has today shown me a telegram from the museum dated June 9th stating that it had offered to accept Wu’s proposal that the expedition proceed “leaving status of 1929 collection to Nanking legislation which Minister Wu states may separate fossils from archaeological specimens.”
- 4.
- Andrews and his assistants are convinced, as I am, that to start without previous definite agreement would involve the results of the expedition in disputes to which the museum could not from previous experience expect reasonably satisfactory outcome.
- 5.
- We further apprehend that the definite arrangements we were still hopeful of obtaining within the brief period before final decision must be taken, will now be delayed by the announcement as to the position taken by the museum. Andrews is therefore telegraphing [apparent omission] that the museum withdraw its offer to accept the Chinese proposal that the expedition proceed without awaiting an understanding as to the disposition of its finds.
MacMurray