893.00/8091: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 21—11:40 a.m.]
57. Following from Hankow:
“January 19, 3 p.m. Demands of labor becoming more and more unreasonable, and tense situation is in no way relaxed. Present state of uncertainty and tenseness cannot be expected to continue much longer without serious outbreaks. It is my conviction, which is shared by many Americans here, that the British and Chinese authorities must soon settle the Concession question or its every vestige of British business will disappear from Hankow and a large part of all other foreign business as well, to say nothing of the menace to the lives of foreigners through some uncontrolled act of the mob which might follow a prolongation of the present intolerable situation. Five hundred eighty-three approximately have been evacuated from Hankow and eighty-three Americans. A few still departing daily. General Chiang Kai-shih99 departed for down river last night.”
- Chiang Kai-shek, commander in chief of Northern Expedition of the Nationalist forces.↩