[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
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72
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[46814]
No. 1.
RECE Rag 28 JAN 10
[December 28.]
SECTION 6.
Mr. Bryce to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 28.)
(No. 265.) Sir,
Washington, December 14, 1909. THE appointment of Mr. W. J. Calhoun as United States Minister to China has raised singularly little comment. Mr. Calhoun is what is called a 64 corporation lawyer of Chicago, and prominent in his profession there. He has done work for the Federal Government as a special commissioner in Cuba, and later in Venezuela. His report to President McKinley on the conditions in Cuba just prior to the outbreak of the war with Spain was a moderate document showing diplomatic capacity. He later was commissioned by President Roosevelt to enquire into the dispute between the American Asphalt Companies and President Castro. He also was for two years member of the Interstate Commerce Commission, a difficult and important post.
Mr. Calhoun is a man of 61 years of age, and this combined with his legal training in charge of important interests and his diplomatic experiences in situations of some delicacy should, combined with a naturally cautious and conservative disposition, make him a suitable representative at Peking. Two leading Chicago citizens have spoken of him to me in warm terms, describing him as a man of independent and upright character not likely to be "got at."
I hope to have an opportunity of meeting Mr. Calhoun on his arrival in Washington, and possibly of gathering his views on the present position in China. It is reported that there is reason to believe that Mr. Knox considers the present international situation in regard to foreign enterprise in China as unsatisfactory, and has even some notion of suggesting the calling of a general conference of the Powers in regard to it.
[2548 ee--6]
I have, &c.
JAMES BRYCE,