393.1123/46
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 24.]
Sir: Reference is made to the Embassy’s despatch No. 1135 of May 3, 1943 in regard to an attack by bandits on two American citizens in Kansu Province with which was enclosed a copy of the Embassy’s note to the Foreign Office dated May 1, 1943 on this subject. The Embassy has now received a reply from the Foreign Office dated June 24, 1943, a translation of which is enclosed.7
It will be noted that in its reply the Foreign Office states that the bandits have been attacked by Chinese troops and that when their leaders are captured they will be punished according to law but that it would be impossible to recover the articles of which the two Americans were robbed. In a further note to the Foreign Office of today’s date, a copy of which is enclosed,7 the Embassy requests that, notwithstanding the difficulties involved, efforts be made to recover as many as possible of the articles taken and the Embassy be notified when the principal culprits have been arrested.
Respectfully yours,