Diplomatic Dilemma

The recognition of Soviet Russia by China and of China by Russia (TIME, June 9 et seq.) naturally specified for the delivery of the Russian Legation in the Legation quarter of Peking, and the Russian Consulates in various parts of China.

This simple undertaking was complicated :

1) By the fact that the Russian Legation had been raised to an Embassy, which would thus give the Soviet representative precedence over those of the Great Powers who are merely Ministers.

2) By the fact that the Legation quarter is governed by the foreign representatives resident therein. The Chinese Government was technically not within its rights in making any promises to the Soviet Government without first obtaining the sanction of the foreign Ministers.

3) By the fact that many of the Consulates lie in territory hostile to the Peking Government, thus rendering that Government powerless to give effect to its magnanimity.

With the Chinese Government willing, but unable, to hand over the Legation, the Soviet Government anxious to take possession of the building and the Diplomats hostile to both parties, an obstacle was created proportionate to the size of the Great Wall.

During the past week, matters referring to the transfer of Consulates were enlivened by General Giebov, Monarchist, with 30 trusty Cossacks at his command, who entered the Shanghai Consulate to take possession. M. Karakhan, Russian representative in China, protested to Foreign Minister Wellington Koo. M. Koo proceeded to think of some one to whom he might protest