393.1123 Coltman, Charles/44: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Schurman)
35. Your telegrams 56, February 15, 8 p.m., 59, February 16, 12 noon.47
With reference to the contention of the Prime Minister that the officers concerned should be punished in a way that would recognize [Page 727] authority of the Military Governor, this Government must consider such an attitude as evidence of the impotence of the Peking Government, but must continue to look to the Central Government as responsible for the fulfillment of China’s obligations and for the due protection of American citizens and their interests. This Government is indifferent to the procedure by which the Chinese Government may arrange for the satisfaction of your third demand, provided that its Consul at Kalgan is enabled to witness the infliction of the penalties.
- Latter not printed.↩