493.11 Ekvall, Henry/74: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12—11:30 a.m.]
1319. Department’s 390, December 7, 6 p.m., repeated to the Minister at Nanking, and Stanton appropriately instructed.
2. Following from Stanton and Soule:
“December 9, 9 p.m. Legation’s December 2, 10 p.m. As regards present whereabouts of other criminals authorities thus far have not obtained any clues from the bandit detectives and bandit suppression troops instructed to make an exhaustive search for them.
Soule would like to return to Peiping and Consul General Adams wishes me to proceed to Kaifeng in connection with another case. We await instructions.”
3. In reply they were instructed in general accord with Department’s 390, December 7, 6 p.m., and were informed that their stay in Sian will not be extended longer than appears essential to an effectual further prosecution of the case. Hankow informed.
4. Referring to Legation’s 1285, December 2, 10 a.m., in despatch dated December 1st Stanton states that Shensi authorities hope Central Government may be able to secure reduction in exemplary damages demanded; that Province is in dire financial straits since meager funds recently raised are being expended in present campaign against the Reds and that with diminishing revenues due to famine over considerable area and other causes there is little prospect of any immediate improvement in the financial position.
5. With respect to the demand for recovery of Ekvall’s body, Legation is now endeavoring to ascertain whether Ekvall’s relatives accept Liu’s confession in explanation of the final disposal of Ekvall’s body or if relatives desire that report of alleged secret burial of certain victims on official premises in Sian be investigated. Unless relatives [Page 557] desire such investigation Legation is inclined to accept Liu’s confession as final.