Office of the Historian

893.1111 Baker, Charles/101: Telegram

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

Peiping, May 27, 1932—4 p.m.
[Received May 27—10:40 a.m.]

574. Legation’s 567, May 25, 7 p.m.58

[1.] Following from American Consul General at Hankow,

“May 26, noon. My May 25, 5 p.m. Andrew has paid over to Baker’s captors $34,000 and obtained their receipt for 416 tons of wheat. After the Communists had received this payment in full for Baker’s release, one faction refused to release Baker without receiving further payment. Present status of the matter is that Communists have offered to release Baker and take two Chinese hostages in his stead provided Andrew will agree to deliver merchandise totaling about $15,000 in value. Andrew is negotiating with them on this point. Baker is to be released before any further deliveries are made but agreement for further deliveries must be made before release,”

and

“May 26, 4 p.m. My May 26, noon. (1) Present situation is hopeful. Two Chinese engineers have gone to Chuho to act as hostages. Andrew’s present problem now is to agree on the amount and kind of merchandise to be sent to the Communists for Baker’s release.

(2) General representations demanding that the National Government obtain Baker’s release have resulted in instructions to the magistrates in the areas adjacent to Kieli that they go in and obtain Baker’s release. The Communists are aware of these instructions which have therefore greatly increased the difficulties of Andrew’s negotiations. It is of the utmost importance that no more representations be made to the Nanking Government at present.

(3) I have great admiration for the patience and resourcefulness which Andrew and his Chinese associates are displaying in their efforts to obtain Baker’s release.”

American Consul General at Nanking directly informed by Adams.

2. As previously stated Communists have excellent intelligence service and Legation suggests that-above reports be treated as strictly confidential lest publicity cause further miscarriage in plans to secure Baker’s release.

Johnson
  1. Not printed.↩