"In these circumstances, this Legation finds it necessary to reming the Chinese authorities once again fof their unfulfilled liabilities in re. spect of arrears of the service of Chinese governmental—obligations duo to American citizens and. com and for damage loss of life. to property and "This Legation also reminds the Chinese authorities that under the terms of agreement for many American obligations the Chinese Government engages, in the event of default or the specific security Lecoming ineffective, to provide from other sources the sums necessary for the payment of principal and interest.
These Claims Come First "This Legation must, therefore, point out to the Chinese authorities thet these debts to American citizeng and organizations are thus entitled to automatic priority over debts subsequently contracted, respeeting the use of any Customs surplus funds which may be avallable as a result of the retirement of loans hitherto secured by the Customs revenues.
"The Chinese authorities having failed to make the effective guarantees provided in the various loan agreements and contracts for the purchase of materials now rest under the manifest duty to make panies. The list Is long and well known. It includes the American shave of the Hukuang and alo loans made by the Continental Commercial Trust & Savings Bank, the Pacife Development Corporation, _Riges National Bank and. the " Munsey rust Company. Other accounts entirely in arrears are due to the American Metal Company, the! Ametiean Trading Cou Andersen, Meyer & Ca,, the Ault-Wiborg China Ca,, the Baldwin Locomotive Works, the' China-American Trading Ca" the China Electric Ca, Fearon, Daniel & Ca., Fowler & Ca. Frazat Ca, the General American Coe Go. the Robert Dollar Ca., the! United States Steel Products Ca., and Wilkinson & Ca, Compensation for Looting, "These creditors, whose claims have been long due, have either supplied materials to' various Depart ments of the Ct Government or made advances to them.
"Im addition to the above list there ere a number of American firms and individuals to whom are owing various sums in compels: tion for looting and outrages com= mitted by the military and bandits from any available excess of Customs surplus resulting from the extinction of a consolidated charge,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.