493.11 Ekvall, Henry/66: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—9:40 a.m.]
1280. Legation’s 1275, November 27, noon. Following from Stanton and Soule.
[Page 552]“November 29, 9 a.m. Liu was brought to Sian. Interrogation by military took place here. At our request court held further investigation in the presence of Nanking’s representatives and ourselves during which a series of questions drawn up by us and handed to the judge upon convening of court were asked of Liu. Questions framed to elicit if possible covered source of Quartermaster Chen’s information; possible instigator of the crime; description of location of crime, victims and car; disposition of car and whereabouts of Quartermaster Chen and other criminals. Liu stated he acted on his own responsibility and in description of details indicated that he had knowledge of and was implicated in the crime. Nothing elicited regarding source of Quartermaster Chen’s information, his whereabouts or present whereabouts of others. Liu pleaded for mercy but the judge said such crimes as robbery, murder and desertion were punishable by death.
The authorities stated that they are making every effort to apprehend Quartermaster Chen, who is rumored to have fled the Province in the car, and the others and have asked the assistance of the Central Government to this end. It is our belief that apprehension of other criminals is only a remote possibility and that it is highly improbable additional information regarding crime will come to light now, although possibly at some future date.”