493.11 Ekvall, Henry/15: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—5:05 p.m.]
933. Legation’s 974, August 19, 6 p.m.71 Reports received by the Legation from Soule and from Todd and Andrew who investigated on the ground for International Famine Relief Commission confirm circumstantially and in some instances directly the report of the case made in paragraph 2 of the Legation’s 908, August 6, 9 p.m.71 No direct trace of bodies or motorcar yet obtainable although excavation of fresh earth in abandoned dry well, reported as place where bodies were thrown after murder, gave evidence that decaying bodies had recently been in well. Military have talked with local inhabitants who disclaim all knowledge of crime, although certain of them have in strict confidence given evidence placing murders squarely upon shoulders of the military. Investigation indicates that murder plot was instigated by a Chinese who had recently been in difficulties with Ekvall and who, in revenge, with promise of rich loot for soldiery persuaded some of them to murder Ekvall and his three companions. Japanese member of party was one Koizumi who represented himself as travelling in China to obtain business knowledge and experience. Chinese member of party was W. T. Wong [W. F. Huang], Cantonese, returned student from the United States who was fellow employee with Ekvall of Hankow Ford Motor Car Agency. Japanese Legation has informed me that it is today sending two Japanese and one Chinese to Sian to investigate death of Koizumi.
2. Shensi chairman in official communication (Department’s [dated?] August 17th)71 has informed me that his strict investigation has proven fruitless. I have telegraphically informed him that Legation’s investigation has disclosed evidence that the chauffeur Chen and the Sian soldiery were directly responsible for the murder of the party. Chairman has been informed that detailed information will be supplied to him by mail and he has been emphatically urged to prevent the escape of the guilty parties and to punish them to the fullest extent of the law. American Consulate General at Nanking [Page 525] has been instructed to make further urgent representations to Nanking Government in the above sense with urgent request that the Shensi chairman be strictly instructed.
3. After considering reports of Soule, Todd and Andrew, I am of the belief that Soule’s continued presence in Sian under present circumstances is not desirable and I am today instructing him that he may return to Peiping unless there have been recent developments which in his opinion make his continued presence in Sian desirable.
4. Hankow informed.