493.11 Ekvall, Henry/82: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
Washington, December 23, 1932—5
p.m.
404. Your 1372, December 22, 1 p.m.
- 1.
- You are authorized to instruct Stanton and Soule to return to their respective posts. However, before they depart from Sian, they should inform the provincial authorities both orally and in writing that they have been specially directed by the Secretary of State to state on their departure that the Government of the United States finds it necessary to remind the provincial authorities of their solemn obligation to use every means within their power to effect without delay the apprehension and punishment of the criminals still at large and to fulfil all the other demands growing out of these abominable crimes committed by persons in the service of the provincial government and that the Government of the United States intends to press its demands unceasingly until they have been fully complied with.
- 2.
- The Legation should also, in the light of the above and of the instructions contained in the Department’s telegram No. 390, December [Page 560] 7, 6 p.m., inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in writing and as under express instructions from the Secretary of State, that the Legation’s representatives at Sian are at this time being withdrawn to their respective posts; that the confession of Company Commander Liu and the implications which naturally flow from it constitute a devastating exposé of the negligence shown by the provincial authorities of Shensi; that the American Government by no means considers the action already taken as satisfactory or sufficient; and that, therefore, it expects the Chinese Government to continue unceasingly its efforts to bring the case to an early and satisfactory conclusion in keeping with all the demands which have been made.
- 3.
- As the Legation doubtless realizes, it is absolutely essential to a satisfactory settlement of this outrage that the serious purpose of this Government to insist upon compliance with its reasonable demands be kept constantly before the national and provincial authorities, and the Legation will, therefore, omit no opportunity to continue to impress upon the Chinese authorities in the most earnest and emphatic manner the importance which the Government of the United States attaches to a speedy and complete compliance with its demands. The Legation will keep the Department promptly and fully informed of any developments and will communicate its views and recommendations in regard to any action in respect of which instructions may be requested.
Stimson