File No. 893.00/1217.
The Acting Secretary of
State to the American
Minister.
Department of State,
Washington,
April 4, 1912.
Sir: I have to enclose herewith for the
information and guidance of the Legation copy of an instruction this day
addressed to the
[Page 172]
Consul
General at Hankow regarding the manner of treating claims of American
citizens and firms growing out of the recent disturbances in China.
In replying to any requests on the part of the American consular officers
in China for instructions as to what action, if any, they may properly
take with reference to such claims, you should follow the instructions
embodied in the inclosure to this communication.
I am [etc.]
[Inclosure.]
The Acting Secretary of
State to the Consul General at
Hankow.
No. 23.]
Department of State,
Washington,
April 4, 1912.
Sir: The Department is in receipt of your
dispatch No. 23 of February 16, 1912,1 reporting in regard to the massacre of
American missionaries in Shensi Province and inclosing copy of a
letter from Mr. E. E. Beckman in which he suggests that a proper
indemnity be demanded for these outrages.
In reply you are instructed that until the establishment of a stable,
responsible government it is not probable that any claim for
indemnification of lives lost and for reimbursement of property
destroyed during the recent disturbances will be presented to China.
All such claims as may be filed with the Consulate General should in
the meantime be carefully substantiated and the record in each case
preserved in order that, when the Department deems the proper time
to have arrived, all claims may be forwarded promptly to the
Legation and to the Department for such formal action as the facts
and circumstances of the particular claims may warrant.
I am [etc.]
(For
Mr. Huntington Wilson
.)
Wilbur J. Carr.