493.11 Ekvall, Henry/83: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 28—7:35 a.m.]
1393. Legation’s 1372, December 22, 1 p.m. Following from Counselor Peck:
“December 28, 10 a.m. I learned through unofficial channels on December 27 that the Executive Yuan had, in the course of a closed session, approved the payment of an indemnity in the Ekvall case and the tendering of an apology. Having been pledged to secrecy I am unable, however, to confirm these two items officially. In connection with the punishment of the culprits I have received the following letter marked confidential from the Director of the Department of European and American Affairs of the Foreign Office addressed to me as Counselor:
‘December 27, 1932. Dear Mr. Peck:—With regard to the Ekvall case, this Ministry has received an instruction from the Executive Yuan stating that, the Shensi Provincial Government having petitioned the Government to issue a general order for the arrest and trial of all those implicated in the murder, the [Page 561] above-mentioned has sanctioned the petition by issuing an order to that effect to all the city and military authorities of different provinces.’”
2. Department’s 404, December 23, 5 p.m. Stanton, Soule and Counselor Peck appropriately instructed.