893.00 Nanking/6: Telegram

The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State

972. Following from Nanking:

“March 27, 1 p.m. Examination of the depositions and verbal statements made by absolutely reliable American people prove that outrages committed by Nationalist soldiers were even more riotous than at first realized. Two known cases of attempted but unsuccessful cases of criminal assault upon American women and several other cases of only a shade less serious character. As I am absolutely convinced this campaign of terrorism and insult to foreigners was not only officially countenanced by and directed but even prearranged, the incident could hardly have been more outrageous. But for the timely bombardment the worst incidents could have been multiplied manifold. The significance of this is’ enormous and I respectfully suggest the immediate withdrawal of all Americans in Nationalist territory and the taking of some sufficiently strong action to defer the perpetration of similar incidents elsewhere.”

MacMurray