493.11 Ekvall, Henry/55: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:45 p.m.]
1254. Department’s 368, November 12, 1 p.m.91
[1.] Following from Stanton and Soule at Sian:
“November 16, noon. My despatch of November 12.
- (1)
- A further report dated November 15 received from Provincial Government and forwarded today gives additional information regarding the whereabouts of Liu92 and steps being taken to apprehend him. Another report of the same date refers to apprehension of a bandit near Sanchiao who is being interrogated.
- (2)
- We saw Chen93 this morning and emphatically informed him that the American Government was thoroughly dissatisfied with the slow progress of the case and again emphasized that all demands must be carried out. He was also closely questioned regarding the measures being taken and stated that in addition to those mentioned above appropriate instructions had been sent to the commander of the regiment to which balance of Liu’s company had been transferred.
- (3)
- Upon our return we informed Colonel Hang of our dissatisfaction with the progress of the case. He said he felt similarly and agreed to report to Chiang and request him to send a strongly worded [Page 549] telegram to the authorities which he was requested to deliver personally to Yang.
- (4)
- With reference to the Legation’s November 13, noon, authorities fully realize that all demands must be carried out”.
Legation’s November 13, noon, transmitted Department’s 368, November 12, 1 p.m., to Stanton.
2. Legation’s 1238, November 8, 6 p.m.94 In despatch dated November 10 Stanton states that report to Foreign Office concerning alleged punishment of criminals in Ekvall case was probably based on rumors that militia officer Kao was beaten in order to elicit confession as to identity of troops who for several days lay in wait at Sanchiao for Ekvall party.
3. Above quoted to American Consulates General at Hankow and Nanking and Counselor Peck has been instructed as follows:
“Stanton’s despatch of November 10th and previous indicate that Shensi Provincial Chairman Yang apparently increasingly disinclined to press case. It would appear that this is probably because of the fact that confession of militia officer Kao implicates troops of General Sun Yu Ju. Stanton adds that pressure from Nanking and General Chiang Kai-shek at this juncture will help materially. Legation considers that telegrams November 9, 11 a.m., and November 16, noon, from Stanton and Soule lead to increasing hope that guilty may be apprehended and it is requested that you make emphatic representations to Ministers Soong and Lo, asking the general punishment of guilty without further delay.”