861.77/2595: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 2—7:05 a.m.]
292. Today I received Stevens’ telegram of June 30, 9 a.m. with regard to tariff rates on soya beans. I took the matter up with the Foreign Office at once. I did not place special emphasis on the effect of the agreement on the railway in view of your telegram 157 of June 27 via Tokyo.76 Instead I based my representations chiefly on the alleged violation of the principle of the “open door,” as guaranteed at the Washington Conference by China.
Knowledge of such an agreement is denied by both the Ministry of Communications and by the Foreign Office. They have requested a report from Dr. C. C. Wang. Is it not possible that the agreement for a large cash payment to the Chinese Eastern which Stevens reports, may be in connection with the issue of bonds which I reported in today’s telegram no. 291?
Stevens’ telegram of June 30, 2 a.m. [p.m.], on guarding the Chinese Eastern Railway. Considering your no. 157, which I will [Page 902] answer soon, how far should I go in making representations on this subject to the Chinese Government?