493.11 Ekvall, Henry/16: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 26—3:55 a.m.]
1009. Legation’s 993, August 22, 9 p.m. Legation has today sent following instruction to American Consul General at Nanking: [Page 526]
“August 26, 11 a.m. Shensi Provincial Chairman has not received definite results in Ekvall case and Legation has accordingly today addressed further urgent telegraphic representations to the Chairman insisting on drastic punishment of all guilty parties and recovery of Ekvall’s remains. Revengeful atrocity of crime has been stressed and it has been pointed out that it occurred not in some wild and remote spot but on main travelled highway a few li west of walls of Sian, the provisional [provincial] capital, where chairman has large forces at his command to maintain law and order. He has efficient organization. Legation believes that unless example is made of guilty parties in this case no foreigner will be safe in Shensi. Please make similar urgent representations to Nanking Government.
- 2.
- In all representations made to date the Legation has expressly refrained from any reference to restitution of property loss lest this consideration serve to complicate an already exceedingly difficult situation and militate against the punishment of the guilty parties, which latter consideration is the prime one at this juncture. Please be strictly guided by this attitude of the Legation in any action which you may take in this case.
- 3.
- American Consul General at Hankow has been instructed to be guided by the above in making further urgent representations direct to Shensi Provincial Chairman.”