893.00 Nanking/123
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Howard)
Excellency: The Department has lately received the official report of Mr. John K. Davis, American Consul at Nanking, China, on the events of March 23–24, 1927,75 which caused the evacuation of Nanking by all foreign citizens residing therein, and I have noted with particular pleasure Mr. Davis’ statement that throughout the trying period at Nanking the unreserved co-operation between British and Americans, both naval and civilian, was most gratifying and contributed largely to the saving of many lives. Consul Davis reports that in alleviating the distress of those persons who were forced to leave their affairs and their homes no distinctions were made as to nationality, and that in this connection the unreserved kindness, energy and frankness of Captain England of H. M. S. Emerald were specially conspicuous.
Consul Davis further reported that Captain Heathcote and Lieutenant Bellasis of H. M. S. Emerald also displayed commendable courage and devotion to duty in assisting the foreign men, women and children to the city wall and over the wall to the causeway and to the shore when those evacuated were placed in safety aboard H. M. S. Woolsey.
I have the honor to express to Your Excellency my sincere appreciation of the assistance rendered by Captain England, Captain Heathcote and Lieutenant Bellasis of H. M. S. Emerald, to Consul Davis and the group of American citizens who accompanied him, and I beg of you to convey to these officers the grateful thanks of this Government for the action taken by them while engaged on this duty.
Accept [etc.]
- Consul’s report dated March 28.↩