Office of the Historian

393.1111 Baker, Charles/87: Telegram

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

Shanghai, April 29, 1932—3 p.m.
[Received April 29—10:30 a.m.]

Following from American Consul General at Hankow:

“April 28, 4 p.m.

1.
The following is the substance of information received by Admiral Williams from Ichang: Bandits say that Baker is quite sick. They are anxious to deliver him before he dies. They are asking for $10,000 and negotiations are being made for $6,000. Yangtze Rapid agent[s] want a gunboat at Chenglingki to receive delivery of Baker after agreement with bandits has been reached.
2.
I have no means of ascertaining immediately the truth or falsity of statement that Baker is ill but desire to point out that (a) on April 25 Andrew’s information was that Baker was well fed and had his own personal servant. (b) Baker’s letter dated March 27 contained no mention of illness beyond the statement that he was weak, tired and nervous, (c) Nelson and captors have, at least on one occasion, [Page 505] in order to hasten payment of goods for his release, alleged that he was very sick and might die at any time.
3.
I have not been informed whether Yangtze Rapid agents at Ichang have actually succeeded in obtaining $6,000 for payment to Baker’s captors but I understand that they hope to obtain it from a “confidential source”. Hoyt says that the company will advance no funds and that he personally will not pay any more ransom money.
4.
It seems obvious that attempts to conduct two independent negotiations with Baker’s captors can only result in confusion and failure and I believe that Andrew, with his experience and organization, is better qualified to complete successfully negotiations for Baker’s release than are the Ichang agents of the Yangtze Rapid Steamboat Company. In addition to this I have assured Sir John Hope Simpson and Andrew that we will depend on them and hold in abeyance other efforts to obtain Baker’s release so as not to prejudice their efforts.
5.
Under these circumstances I have wired the Ichang agents of the Yangtze Rapid Steamship Company that I understand that Hoyt has requested them to drop their negotiations and have suggested that they explain to the bandits’ messenger that they have failed in their efforts to obtain any money for the payment of further ransom.”

Johnson