893.00/7661: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Mayer)
203. Your 422, September 21, 4 p.m. In general the Department after consultation with Navy Department approves your instructions. [Page 639] However, I think it would be well also to inform the Chinese authorities that the American war vessels represent a friendly nation, that they are acting strictly within treaty rights and not in any way interfering with the contending factions but are there for the purpose of protecting American citizens and property as they have a right to do. Obviously the presence of American naval vessels can be of no disadvantage or danger to either faction and it is the expectation of the American Government that both sides will give these ships the friendly cooperation in protecting American citizens to which they are entitled.
[Paraphrase.] We do not understand British attitude unless paragraph 6 of commander in chief’s telegram September 20th32 is misquoted to us. It states that the British intend to comply with the regulations both with their merchant ships and the naval transport service. We were not aware that they had any naval transport service on the Yangtze. Do British intend to comply with their naval vessels? If they do intend to comply with their naval vessels, it will probably embarrass position of our naval vessels in same area. Communicate foregoing to commander in chief. [End paraphrase.]
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