493.11 Ekvall, Henry/73: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
Washington, December 7, 1932—6
p.m.
390. Your 1285, December 2, 10 a.m. and 1290, December 3, 11 a.m.
- 1.
- The Department concurs in the views and suggestions expressed by the Legation in its 1285, December 2, 10 a.m. and is of the opinion that the Shensi authorities should not be permitted to shift responsibility for full and complete compliance with all demands. Although the American Government must in the last analysis look to the Central Government for compliance with any demands which may not be satisfied by the local authorities, the Department believes that, in view of the circumstances under which these crimes were committed and because of the situation existing in China, the greatest possible pressure should continue to be exerted to effect full compliance by [Page 555] the provincial government with all unsatisfied demands with particular reference to the demand for the apprehension and punishment of all guilty persons still at large. The Department also feels that insistence on the payment of the exemplary indemnity by the provincial government would tend to encourage more adequate protection for American lives and property in the area controlled by the provincial authorities and that there should be no concession at this juncture with regard to the amount demanded.
- 2.
- The Legation should therefore instruct Stanton to make further representations in accordance with the Legation’s suggestions and to renew insistence upon full and complete compliance with all demands.
- 3.
- The Department also desires that the Minister discuss the case with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, reiterating the great importance which this Government attaches to a speedy and complete compliance with all demands, and urge the continued earnest cooperation of the Central authorities to that end. The Minister should informally explain to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that, although the United States must of course look to the Central Government for satisfaction of any demands not fully complied with by the provincial authorities, the Department considers that the circumstances of the case warrant the continuance of strong pressure to induce the provincial authorities to meet all the demands, including the punishment of all persons concerned in the crime and the payment of exemplary indemnity. The Minister should inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs that, because of the heinous character of the crimes committed by persons in the service of the provincial government, the Department feels that the amount of the exemplary indemnity is reasonable and should be paid, and that the only possible basis for possible later consideration of a request for a reduction in the amount of the indemnity would be indisputable evidence that the provincial authorities are sincerely endeavoring to fulfill their obligation to apprehend and punish to the full extent of the law all persons concerned in the crimes and that all the authority of the provincial government will continue to be exerted to attain this result at the earliest possible moment.
Stimson