File No. 861.00/834
The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 18.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that, due to the almost complete breakdown of the police system at Harbin, lawlessness and crime have increased to such an extent as to seriously threaten the lives and property of foreigners resident there. At one time the disorder was so great that my British colleague suggested that it might be considered as justifying the sending of an international police force for the protection of foreigners and their property.
Although the Consul at Harbin does not consider the situation at present as grave enough to warrant the taking of such steps, copies of his reports of November 10 and 12,1 respectively, in regard thereto, are forwarded to the Department at this time in view of the possibility of its becoming necessary to request the Department’s instructions by telegraph should it be necessary later to take steps to protect Americans living at Harbin.
In speaking of this matter with me last week, the British Minister, having in mind international measures of protection, expressed the hope that a detachment of American troops could be sent to Harbin in case of need, stating that the British Indian troops now stationed in Tientsin are not suitable for service in Harbin.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩