493.11 N 15/189: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15—12:55 p.m.]
629. My 614, August 10, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- The British Minister informed me yesterday that, although he expected their consulate at Nanking would be reopened very shortly (on or about August 21st), a definite decision on the matter had not yet been received from London. He said he would let me know as soon as the matter was decided.
- 2.
- Following telegram has been received today from the commander in
chief:
“In a personal conversation with the British rear admiral of the Yangtze, August 12th, he stated that he had just arrived from Nanking after a visit of several days. He stated that the British had settled Nanking incidents on terms similar to ours.34 It is expected that the British consul general will be reinstated within a week with the British rear admiral of the Yangtze present and also the English commander in chief may possibly be there. Until the regular consulate is repaired temporary quarters will be used. The question of appropriate ceremonies is still unsettled and might interfere with the immediate return of the consul general. It is considered by the British home Government that at this time it is important to have official representatives at Nanking. They might make concessions elsewhere to China in the matter of ceremonies.”
- For the texts of notes, dated Aug. 9. 1928. constituting the Sino-British settlement, see Great Britain, Cmd. 3188, China No. 1 (1928): Papers Relating to the Settlement of the Nanking Incident of March 24, 1927.↩