Office of the Historian

393.1111 Baker, Charles/44: Telegram

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

Shanghai, March 28, 1932—noon.
[Received March 28—8:40 a.m.]

Your 118, March 26, 1 p.m.

1.
I agree with the Department that the payment of ransom by the Chinese Government would be most promising means of effecting Baker’s release. Whether payment be cash or in wheat is immaterial and it is up to the Chinese Government to decide which would be most effective. But I feel that if we specially asked that flood relief wheat be used for the purpose our action may be entirely misunderstood and criticised by the public.
2.
The taking of hostages even without participation by American naval forces does not seem to me to offer much chance of success principally [Page 486] because it would be extremely difficult to obtain possession of persons whose fate would cause the bandits any concern.
3.
I am consulting with the Consul General at Nanking and Hankow regarding Chinese officials most likely to render effective assistance and if I find that the course suggested in the last paragraph of the Department’s March 26, 1 p.m., seems advisable I shall instruct a member of Legation staff and Captain Mayer of the Military Attaché’s office to endeavor to get in touch with the officials concerned.
Johnson