125.643/47a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Perkins)
Washington, August 17,
1928—6 p.m.
273. Your 614, August 10, 6 p.m. and 629, August 15, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- Unless there are urgent reasons for delay, not yet reported to the Department, you should instruct Cunningham to arrange for re-occupation of Nanking Consulate at earliest possible date. Department [Page 350] is taking steps to commission Spiker as Consul at Nanking and desires that Spiker and Paxton shall take up residence in Nanking following return of premises. Telegraph estimated cost of repairing and refurnishing Consulate and of renting temporary premises for use during repairs and refurnishing.
- 2.
- Last sentence your 614. Department considers it desirable that return of consular premises be accompanied by ceremonies calculated to lend dignity and mutual cordiality to the occasion. Department suggests that American representation should include, besides Spiker and Paxton, Consul General Cunningham and a naval officer of high rank to be designated by the Commander-in-Chief, and that if the Nationalist authorities propose to render a suitable military salute to the American flag it would be fitting for an American naval vessel to return a similar salute to the Nationalist flag. Decision in this and pertinent matters is left to the Legation’s discretion in consultation, when necessary, with the American naval authorities.
- 3.
- Should the claims negotiations subsequently require the presence of Spiker in Shanghai, Department will issue necessary instructions.
Castle