393.1111 Stam, John C./21: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 30—3:05 a.m.]
606. Reference Department’s 397, December 28, 4 p.m. concerning Stam case. Peck at Nanking reports December 29, 3 p.m. that bodies of Stams have reached Wuhu, that he has requested that they be placed in the care of the mission, that he has requested American missionary doctor at Wuhu to make medical examination, and that affidavits of identification and medical findings will be taken by a representative of the Consulate General who will proceed to Wuhu to attend the funeral. Peck also reports that Stam baby is en route to Tsinanfu to maternal grandparents.
I have telegraphed urgent instructions to Peck to request immediate interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and to make oral representations to him as under express instructions of the American Government along the lines of paragraph number 2 of the Department’s 397, December 28, 4 p.m.
[Page 488]I suggest that the proposed formal note to the Foreign Office await the receipt of Atcheson’s full report of his investigation which is understood to have been completed and mailed but has not yet reached the Legation.95
- The Department’s telegram No. 402, December 31, 3 p.m., approved, adding: “Proposed formal note should, of course, be amended to conform with most recent information and Atcheson’s report.” (393.1111 Stam, John C./24)↩