031.11 American Museum of Natural History (4th Asiatic)/40
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Johnson)
At the request of Doctor Osborn of the American Museum of Natural History, I asked the Chinese Minister to come to see me this morning. Upon his arrival I showed him the telegram which Mr. Andrews had sent to the Museum through the Legation.29 I [Page 848] explained to him that the Museum was somewhat disturbed as Doctor Osborn had understood from his interview with the Minister on June 7, that provided the 1928 collections were released, the 1929 expedition could proceed on its way leaving the question of the disposition of the 1929 collections to be determined under the legislative measures concerning such questions now being drafted by the Legislative Yuan, Doctor Osborn feeling confident from what the Minister told him that the Legislative Yuan in making such legislation would deal justly with the matter. I stated that from this telegram it would appear that the Cultural Society was not willing to accept the Government’s word in the matter; that they were dictating themselves the terms under which the expedition should proceed and that the American Museum was very much discouraged and was prepared to withdraw its expedition rather than go ahead under these arrangements. I pointed out also that the expedition could not proceed under co-directors; that all Doctor Osborn had consented to was that they should take along with them two students who could accompany the expedition for purposes of training.
The Chinese Minister read the telegram and then stated that he recalled in a conversation with Doctor Osborn the other day that Doctor Osborn had stated he would be willing to accept the terms made by the Minister provided the 1928 collections were released; that is, that he would be prepared to recommend to his trustees that they accept these terms and permit the 1929 expedition to take the field. The Minister stated that up to the present time he had not heard from Doctor Osborn as to what action he had taken in the matter, although he had telephoned to Doctor Osborn at once about the release of the 1928 fossils.
I told the Minister I thought it was quite clear about the matter. As a matter of fact, Doctor Sherwood had forwarded me a copy of the telegram which Doctor Osborn had sent to Andrews authorizing him to proceed. I said I would get Doctor Sherwood on the telephone and have him discuss the matter with Doctor Wu. This I did and the Chinese Minister had a conversation with Doctor Sherwood, the exact purport of which I could not hear. The Minister, however, apparently was told by Doctor Sherwood that orders had been issued for the expedition to proceed and I understood that he arranged with Doctor Sherwood for a further communication this afternoon at 3:15. As the Minister left I understood him to say that he hoped everything would be satisfactorily arranged.
- Not printed.↩