893.00/7881: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 29—8:44 a.m.]
585. 1. Following from American consul general, Hankow:
“November 27, 4 p.m. With armed soldiers marching in groups of from one hundred to five hundred through the foreign concessions almost daily, strikes in many lines of industry, threatened strike of the police in the foreign concessions and special districts and a general feeling of unrest and uncertainty, the foreign communities at Hankow are greatly concerned over possibility of the situation and especially inadequacy of foreign naval force. Due to the low water, last American destroyer left yesterday, lea vine: three small gunboats here. British destroyers probably leaving Monday; and French, Italians and Japanese have only small force. Representative Americans are insistent that more adequate protection be afforded even to the point of sending several destroyers and keeping them here through the winter. There is a possibility also of the port being so completely tied up soon that the question of food supply will be serious and that stringent measures will be necessary to protect the port. While not disposed to magnify the gravity of conditions I think the Legation and the Department should know that the situation here is becoming more involved daily and that not only are the Chinese likely to lose complete control but that [a] foreigner may also not be able to protect himself.”
2. Commander in chief ordered U. S. S. Pope and U. S. S. Truxton to Hankow, November 28th. Due to falling river they will be obliged to remain there until early spring.
Hankow informed.