125.9532: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao ( Hawthorne ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 9—2:30 a. m.]
324. Under my instructions Chinese member ConGen’s staff yesterday called on Yang of Foreign Affairs section. He said memo protesting removal fuel (remytel 316, July 5) was found in order and accepted. He expressed doubt receipt would be issued but reiterated military would keep accurate record property taken and of consumption fuel if any.
He said he had personally seen Bender and Smith end May and that they were safe and well, adding he doubts negotiations for their release can be opened before diplomatic relations established (reDeptel 156, June 4). Remytel 320, July 8,74 Department may wish appropriately advise Mrs. Smith.
Yang desires it understood he speaking as individual, not officially.
Sent Department; repeated Nanking as 220, Shanghai as 134.
- Not printed.↩