861.77/1803: Telegram
The Minister in China (Crane) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 5—12:46 p.m.]
357. Following telegram from Stevens dated Harbin, November 5, 7 p.m.:
Have just received your telegram of October 25 [21].77 As soon as I can arrange affairs at Harbin, where I am returning today, I plan to start for Washington. With reference to your earlier telegram,78 in every way Colonel Johnson is completely competent to act in my place while I am gone. As otherwise there may be objection by the members of the Board, I desire that the State Department telegraph instructions authorizing Colonel Johnson to act as temporary president of the Technical Board. In spite of the delay which it would cause I may be able to meet with consortium representatives in Japan. I will have it clearly understood at Harbin that I am to be away for only a short time and that the United States has not withdrawn its interest. Cable reply requested.