893.00/7896: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4—6:16 a.m.]
596. My 591, December 1, 4 p.m. Following from the consul general at Hankow:
“December 3, 3 p.m. My November 30, 11 a.m. Destroyers Pope and Truxton now here together with U. S. S. Isabel, Pigeon and Palos. British destroyer Woolston arrived this morning with small contingent of marines. Other British destroyer which was being held here has departed. French gunboat Algol arriving in a few days. New British Minister Lampson arriving here Tuesday on a naval vessel. Saburi40 also arriving in a few days.
General situation unchanged. While some strikes have been amicably settled, many lines of industry still seriously affected by labor troubles. Strike leaders and pickets by high-handed methods are completely dominating the local authorities who are either helpless or indifferent to curbing their activities. New regime’s prestige and authority have been seriously impaired by recent developments here. Eugene Chen and others mentioned in Canton’s November 17, 10 a.m., to the Legation,41 are understood to be at Nanchang and will arrive here probably next week. It is hoped their coming may do something toward stabilizing a situation which is giving the foreign as well as the Chinese community much concern.”
Consul general at Canton in a telegram of December 3rd stated that Chen had assured Lampson of courteous reception at Hankow.