Office of the Historian

893.51/3992: Telegram

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

Peking, October 5, 1922—5 p.m.
[Received October 5—10:05 a.m.]

409. Following identic telegram is being sent to-day by my British, French and Japanese colleagues to their respective Governments:

“American, British, French and Japanese representatives having discussed together telegram sent by group banks representatives October 3d,46 submit following observations:

1.
Absolute rejection of Chinese proposal would in our opinion endanger future existence of the consortium.
2.
Chinese Government would moreover be free to cancel existing option on security of salt revenue.
3.
Adoption of any such proposal should be dependent on confirmation by Chinese Parliament and present Cabinet.
4.
Safeguards must be insisted on against seizure of advances by militarists.

We consider in conclusion that Chinese proposals should be systematically examined and at any rate adopted as basis for further discussion.”

Schurman
  1. Not found in Department files.↩