393.1121 Libby, Walter/7

The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)

No. 32

Sir: The Department has received the Legation’s despatch No. 2546, of January 22, 1930, transmitting copies of correspondence between the Legation and the Consulate General at Hankow9 in regard to charges brought against Dr. W. E. Libby, of the Nanchang General Hospital.

The Department is glad to note from an inspection of the enclosures with this despatch that the procurator of the Nanchang District Court, in a judgment issued October 18, 1929, decided that the Court had no right to assume jurisdiction over Dr. Libby “prior to the modification of the existing treaties between China and the United States”. This satisfactory disposition of the charges brought against an American citizen in a Chinese Court seems to have been due in large part to the prompt action taken by the Legation and the Consulate General at Hankow. The Department commends the Legation and the American Consul General at Hankow for the efficiency displayed in the handling of this case.

A copy of this instruction is enclosed for transmission to Mr. Lockhart.

I am [etc.]

For the Acting Secretary of State:
Francis White
  1. None printed.