893.00/8927: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 18—2:10 a.m.]
569. 1. A statement has been jointly signed and submitted to their respective heads of delegations by the military attachés of the American, French, Italian, Japanese, and British Legations. The following is the substance:
We have unanimously decided that in the event that the powers decide to strengthen their contingents in North China that consideration should be given to the following circumstances as constituting emergencies requiring such reinforcements: (1) A withdrawal from any part of the Lunghai Railway by the Northern forces; (2) any large-scale disaffection or decisive defeat of the Northern forces south of the Lunghai Railway; (3) any coup d’etat and/or insurrection or invasion north of the Lunghai Railway in case of an advance against the Northern Government by the Southerners (Nationalists).
2. Above is being telegraphed to commander in chief.