Office of the Historian

393.1111 Nelson, Bert N./173

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Consul General at Hankow (Adams)71

Peiping, January 18, 1934.

Sir: In reply to your despatch No. 434 of January 11, 1934,72 in regard to the reported death of the Reverend Bert Nelson, you are informed that the Legation approves of your action in refusing to issue a death report until such time as you are in possession of definite information as to the death of the Reverend Mr. Nelson.

In regard to the suggestion of Dr. Skinsnes that the American Consul at Foochow might be able to obtain information from the communist captors of Mr. Nelson through Mr. Eugene Chen, recently functioning as “Minister of Foreign Affairs” in the “Fukien Government”, you are informed that latest reports reaching the Legation indicate that Mr. Chen has fled from Foochow for Hongkong. I agree with you that the suggested consular inquiry appears impracticable, but I perceive no objection to Dr. Skinsnes addressing a personal inquiry to Mr. Chen, if and when his whereabouts are ascertainable.

Very truly yours,

Nelson Trusubr Johnson
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in China in his despatch No. 2477, January 18; received February 10.↩
  2. Not printed.↩