893.00/3486
The Minister in China (Crane) to the Secretary of
State
Peking, July 28,
1920.
[Received September 17,
1920.]
No. 53
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
translation copies of circular No. 108 of the Dean of the Diplomatic
Corps, regarding the safety of foreigners in Peking during the
present crisis.36
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in
China (Boppe) to the Chinese
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs (Tcheng Loh)37
Mr. Minister: At the present time when
in a great many places the Chinese territory, even in the
outskirts of the Capital are disturbed by the useless and
disastrous military conflicts concerning which the Foreign
Powers have already had occasion to express their disapproval,
the Diplomatic Representatives wish to express the confidence
which they place in His Excellency President Hsu Shih Chang’s
exercising his power of supreme magistrate to enforce the
general principles of humanity upon the local warring
factions.
But they wish also to solemnly call the attention of the Chinese
Government to the strict obligations which they have undertaken
concerning the protection of foreigners. They will hold the
present Chinese Government responsible for any attack, which
during the present trouble, may be made against foreigners or
their property.
[Page 457]
They think it necessary to express the view of all the Chiefs of
Mission that measures should be taken to prevent the entrance of
armed troops in Peking or the use of bombing planes on the
city.
Receive [etc.]
