Office of the Historian

861.77/2589: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Harbin (Hanson)

Washington, July 17, 1922—3 p.m.

For Stevens:

In view of announced purpose of Japan to withdraw troops and the consequent automatic termination of the railway agreement I have deemed it necessary to take up with the Japanese and British Governments in a preliminary confidential manner the question of winding up the Inter-Allied Committee and Technical Board and of confirming the attitude of the Powers toward the Chinese Eastern Railway as outlined at the Washington Conference. Is there any nearer prospect of developments such as you refer to in your June 29, 8 a.m.?

Hughes