and articles 1 to 9 of the railway agreement signed Peking, May 31st. Section 2, however, provides free reversion of railway to China at end of 60 instead of 80 years and that when mutually agreed further shortening may be discussed. Soviet agrees that after signature present agreement China shall be entitled to redeem the railway with Chinese capital at actual just value mutually determined. Section 15 provides that portions of the agreement relating to the railway shall become void after redemption of [or] free return indicated. Article 2 amplifies article 8 agreement general principles and provides that details shall be arranged by a conference of representatives of the contracting parties within two months, with special attention to safeguarding for China and Soviet, respectively, transportation of passengers and freight on lower Amur to the sea and on Sungari to Harbin. Articles 3, 4 and 5 are substantially the same as articles 7, 13 and 6, respectively, of general principles agreement substituting Manchurian for Chinese Government. Article 6 provides that all joint commissions named in the agreement shall begin operations within one month and conclude within six months unless otherwise stipulated. Article 7 states agreement operative when signed and of three texts, Russian, Chinese and English, latter authoritative in case of [dispute]. BELL 861.77/3668: Telegram The Consul at Harbin (Hanson) to the Secretary of State HARBIN, October 8, 1924-10 a.m. [Received October 9-6:40 a.m.] Since the Bolsheviks took over Chinese Eastern Railway, conservative Russians in the railway zone have been terror stricken. On October 3rd General Manager Ostroumoff, Chief of the Land Department Gondatti, and Chief of the Economic Bureau Mikhailoff were arrested by Chinese police, acting under orders from Mukden, without charges being preferred, placed in solitary confinement, treated like desperate criminals and not permitted to consult with the counsel or to see their wives. Arrests were made before they were able legally to transfer their offices to their Soviet successors. On October 6th Kirin provincial authorities prohibited departure of Russians from Harbin. On October 7th a merchant, Gavriloff, and the chief bookkeeper of the railway were arrested without charges made and placed in prison. As the first three mentioned worked with and under Inter-Allied Technical Board, as the first two were given American, British, French and Japanese diplomatic support and encouragement in their efforts to resist Chinese encroachments in the land department question, and as I suspect that certain Chinese 112731-VOL. 1-39-40 authorities with Bolshevik approval are attempting to persecute them for attempting to preserve the interests of the railway in accordance with the resolutions of the Washington Conference, it is my opinion that the matter of these outrageous arrests and the conduct of these railway officials while in charge of railway administration should be investigated immediately by an international commission, if possible. If not possible, then foreign consular officers should be present at the trials of the accused. This matter is urgent as Ostroumoff who has long been in ill health and suffering from a severe strain may become seriously if not fatally ill in the Chinese prison. It is suggested that pressure be brought upon Chang Tso-lin to have the prisoners moved to Mukden because it is feared they may at any moment be handed over by the local authorities, willing or unwilling, to the Bolshevists for transportation to and punishment in Siberia. The Department might suggest to the Associated Press or other news agency that it detail to Harbin a special correspondent in order to report regarding Bolshevik activities in North Manchuria and on the Chinese Eastern Railway, arrests of foreigners by Chinese military and police and trials of foreigners by Chinese courts. Such reports would enlighten the American public in regard to communism and the necessity of retaining extraterritorial rights in China. Informed the Legation. HANSON 861.77/3669: Telegram The Chargé in China (Bell) to the Secretary of State PEKING, October 10, 1924-4 p.m. [Received October 10-10: 14 a.m.] 382. 1. Referring to telegrams to the Department from Hanson, Harbin. Consular body asked diplomatic body to take some action in respect of situation at Harbin created by arrest of Ostroumoff, Gondatti, Mikhailoff and others, consular body stating local foreigners seriously alarmed and fearing extension of arbitrary acts for the treaty-power nationals. 2. Diplomatic body meeting today decided they could take no action as such in matter of arrest of Ostroumoff and others, Harbin consular body being so informed by telegraph. 3. Japanese, British and French representatives here have all informally interceded with Chang on behalf of arrested men on ground of humanity and justice asking that they be admitted to bail or brought to speedy trial but with no success thus far. I have telegraphed American consul Mukden to associate him [self] in these informal representations. Hanson informed. BELL 861.77/3669: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Bell) WASHINGTON, October 13, 1924—3 p. m. 237. Your 382, October 10, 4 p.m. The Department does not perceive that any further action in this matter would be warranted, and considers it unlikely that such action would produce any good result. Advise Consuls at Mukden and Harbin. 861.77/3753: Telegram GREW The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State PEKING, December 9, 1924—3 p. m. [Received December 9-8:50 a. m.] 476. American consul Harbin's recent telegram to Department 29 to effect that Ostroumoff and others turned over to Chinese procurator general who can keep prisoners in solitary confinement for four months prior to discharge or trial, and Department's 237, October 13, 3 p.m. After careful consideration, in view of this new factor in situation, I consented to join with French, British and Japanese colleagues in addressing informal communication to Marshal Chang Tso-lin expressing hope on grounds of humanity that he would bring the prisoners to speedy trial, if trial is to take place, and to permit Ostroumoff to reside at his house in Harbin while awaiting trial in view of the fact that latter's health appears menaced. MAYER PROPOSAL BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO CONVENE A PRELIMINARY CUSTOMS CONFERENCE, AND THE REJECTION OF THE PROPOSAL BY THE POWERS 500.A 4e 1/51: Telegram The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State PEKING, March 13, 1924-4 p. m. 77. I have received from the Minister for Foreign Affairs a note dated March 10th 29 relative to special conference to be held Washington nine-power treaty 30 which rehearses proposals of Chinese delegates at Washington and action taken; points out that because of the fact that all signatory powers have not yet given approval, special conference has not been called and stresses difficulty of Chinese Government in reorganizing its finances and inability to pay internal and foreign obligations which they had hoped to do from surtax. Since conference cannot yet be called Chinese Government hopes that a preliminary conference may first be held to make preparations for future formal conference. Preliminary conference to decide tentative agenda for formal conference and investigate and decide questions to be presented to it. Representatives of signatory powers could exchange views and do in advance the work which would be referr[ed] to committees of future special conference. Hope is expressed that in putting surtax into operation condition of China's finance will be improved and that both internal and foreign debts can be reorganized. I imagine this move is the result of reports to Chinese Government of Yen's commission for the readjustment of finances, see my 319 September 21, 10 a. m. 1923,a1 and that its object is to obtain some specific promise from the foreign powers at the preliminary conference relative to imposition of surtax. Other ministers have received identic notes and we shall hold meeting next week to consider proposal. SCHURMAN 500.A 4e 1/51: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Schurman) WASHINGTON, March 18, 1924—5 p. m. 55. Your No. 77 March 13, 4 p. m. and Evans' telegram to Buforcom March 15.32 Pending the receipt of further instructions, you should not take such a part in conference with your colleagues as to indicate or commit in any way the position of this Government with respect to the proposal for a preliminary conference. HUGHES 500.A 4e 1/52: Telegram The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State PEKING, March 18, 1924-5 p. m. 83. My 77, March 13, 4 p. m. 1. Following is a translation of the French text of an identic telegram to their Governments adopted at a conference today by the Ibid., 1923, vol. 1, p. 548. Telegram from Mr. Arthur H. Evans, assistant commercial attaché at Peking, to the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce; not printed. representatives of the signatory powers of the treaties of Washington Conference and of the powers which adhered to those treaties. 2. "The representatives of the powers signatory to the treaties of Washington consider that their Governments might in reply to the Chinese note of March 10, 1924, authorize them to examine with the Chinese Government the financial situation of China and the future "destinations" (purposes) of the surtax of two and a half percent but they should be instructed to demand that the Chinese Government communicate to them in advance the measures contemplated by it for the abolition of likin and the interim provisions to be applied prior to the time of such abolition." 3. There were objections to the proposed preliminary conference and to the name which seemed too formal. All agreed that the proposal was inspired by the need of money and contemplated preeminently to determine the purposes to which the surtax revenue should be devoted. Representatives were of the opinion this question should not be considered without (1) examination of Chinese finances, and (2) receipt of Chinese plan for abolition of likin, etc. 4. While favoring the program suggested, I consider it my duty to point out to the Department that if it is carried out and the representatives cannot agree among themselves as to the purposes for which the surtax revenue is to be used that might hereafter be urged as an argument against the holding of the special conference itself. SCHURMAN 500.A 4e 1/53: Telegram The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State PEKING, March 19, 1924-10 a. m. 84. My 83, March 18, 5 p. m. Please add the following as paragraph 5: Though the diplomatic representatives felt that the Chinese Government should be reminded of its obligations in respect of the abolition of likin, they are all convinced that whatever plan the Government may present for that purpose no practical results will follow as the Government is powerless to assert its will in the provinces. SCHURMAN 500.A 4e 1/54: Telegram The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State PEKING, March 20, 1924-10 a. m. [Received March 20-7: 38 a. m.] 86. Your 55, March 18, 5 p. m. You will since have received my 83, March 18, 5 p. m., and 84, March 19, at 10 a. m., which show that |