393.11/536: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:22 p.m.]
321. Your 112, March 31, 7 p.m.
- 1.
- Please refer to Legation’s 254, March 25, 4 p.m., second paragraph.
- 2.
- In reply to an inquiry from Lockhart as to the inclusiveness of
the Legation’s telegram to him of March 25, 3 p.m., the Legation
replied April 1, 3 p.m., as follows:
“The Legation’s telegram applies to all Americans including men as well as women and children. The Legation will not however for the immediate present object to such American men remaining in [Page 276] Hankow as may be indispensably necessary provided that their numbers are small and that the gunboats are prepared to evacuate them if necessary. All such persons remain entirely at their own risk.”
- 3.
- With reference to the “military necessities” referred to in your
telegram I quote the following from a telegram April 1st from the
commander in chief repeating the views of the Patrol commander with
regard to the evacuation of Americans in the Yangtze Valley.
“I believe that regardless of policy adopted by our Government complete evacuation of our nationals must take place and so recommend. Consider that if Americans are permitted to remain at Hankow a much stronger force is required than that available at present.”
I concur in the views expressed by Admiral Hough.