Mr. Denby, chargé, to Mr. Gresham.
Received telegram 23d and 21st August, the latter one last. Under the international rule in the Shanghai settlements French consul had not the right to surrender Japanese to Chinese officials. Arrests can only be made on the concessions by order of consuls. Chinese arrested tried by the mixed court; foreigners delivered to their consuls Japanese were delivered to the U. S. consul-general because the United States protects the interests of Japanese. The U. S. consul-general reports alleged spies mere school boys, peacefully and openly living at Shanghai. I request that I be directed to order examination by the U. S. consul-general with Chinese official present. China should not be allowed to inflict barbarous treatment, if guilty.