493.11/897: Telegram

The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State

65. My 6, January 4, 4 p.m. Your 7, January 10, 5 p.m. The representatives of the other protocol powers, England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Japan, have prepared a note to the Foreign Office which they desire me also to sign, of which the pertinent paragraph reads in translation:

“We the undersigned representatives of the powers signatory to the protocol of 1901 have submitted the point of view expressed in the above-mentioned letter (Chinese Foreign Office to Belgian, French, Italian and Spanish Ministers December 28th, 192213) to our respective Governments and in reply we have received instructions to inform Your Excellency of the unanimous opinion of our Governments that there can be no doubt that the protocol of 1901 and the arrangement of July 2nd, 1905, establish in an absolutely clear and incontestable manner the fact that the indemnity of 1901 should be paid in gold, that is to say, that for every Haikwan tael owed to each power China should pay the amount in gold indicated in the said article 6 as the equivalent of a tael.”

[Page 594]

This note will not be sent unless I also sign it. I earnestly hope Department will authorize me so to do. Please reply by telegraph.

Schurman
  1. Apparently no copy was sent to the Department.