493.11/1611: Telegram

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

My February 26, 7 p.m. I have just received a personal note from T. V. Soong in which he states:

  • “1. The customs revenue of Shanghai which occupies 45 percent of the whole country is down to almost nil.
  • 2. The cultural purposes for which the American portion of the indemnity is set aside have reserves more than sufficient to last the year’s postponement requested by us.
  • 3. Arrangements have been made with the bondholders of domestic bonds to lower interest rate and lengthen amortization period because the financial stringency is great.”

Johnson