861.77/2560
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Harvey) to the Secretary of
State
London, May 24,
1922.
[Received June 5.]
No. 1330
Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegraphic
Instruction No. 104 of April 8, 5 p.m., 1922, relative to the withdrawal
of the British member of the Technical Board at Harbin, I have the honor
to enclose, herewith, copies in triplicate of a Note, No. F 1735/391/10,
dated May 23, 1922, transmitting the reply of the British Foreign Office
in regard to this matter.
I have [etc.]
For the Ambassador:
Post
Wheeler
Counselor of
Embassy[Enclosure]
The British Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs (Curzon) to the American
Ambassador (Harvey)
[London,] 23 May,
1922.
No. F 1735/391/10
Your Excellency: I have the honour to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 10th, from which I
learn that the government of the United States would regard the
withdrawal of the British member of the Technical Board at Harbin as
most unfortunate at the present junction, and hopes that, if any
such action is proposed, it may be deferred for a time at least.
- 2.
- As Your Excellency has stated, the position of the British
member has been under consideration, and it has been suggested
by His Majesty’s Minister at Peking that some arrangement might
be made by which the cost of maintaining him and the other
members of the Technical Board would be borne by the Chinese
Eastern Railway, whose interests they are helping to
serve.
- 3.
- I am glad to note that the United States Government are
disposed to consider this suggestion, and also to inform you
that while, in view of the considerations mentioned in your
letter, His Majesty’s Government agree to the retention of
General Beckett for the present, it is feared that his
appointment cannot be continued after 31st December, 1922, if
the expenditure thereby entailed continues to be a charge to the
British Exchequer.
I have [etc.]
(In the absence of the Secretary of State)
B. C. Newton
