File No. 763.72111/3
The Chargé d’Affaires in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
Peking, August 3, 1914, 5 p.m.
[Received 10:45 a.m.]
[Telegram]
Withdrawal of the British and German naval forces from the Yangtze leaves almost wholly to the American and Japanese forces the responsibility for protecting general foreign interests in that region. I would therefore suggest that the Admiral be instructed to undertake such general protection of foreign interests other than American and that it be particularly recommended to him to keep one of the larger vessels at Shanghai, where the Government troops are reported to be unreliable and disorders are apprehended.
In view of the possibility that the failure to obtain in Europe the loans upon which the Government relies to meet immediate financial needs may result in disaffection among the troops, the virtually complete withdrawal of the German and Austrian Legation guard to [Page 162] Tsingtao and the possible reduction of the French and Italian guards may necessitate other measures for the protection of the Legation quarter, and with a view to that eventuality I beg to request that arrangement be made by which the Legation could, in case of need, call upon the Admiral for two or more additional companies of marines from the fleet now at Chefoo. Similar considerations forbid removal of any of our troops guarding railway from Tientsin northwards, and may in fact require eventual increase.
The proposal is being mooted to neutralize all foreign settlement concessions in China not including leased areas. I beg to request authorization for the Legation to participate in such an arrangement when laid before the Diplomatic Body.