893.00/8618: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 7—2:02 p.m.]
374. Legation’s number 337, April 5, 10 a.m.17 and 354, April 6, 3 a.m. Following from American consul at Changsha:
“April 4, 10 p.m. My April 3, 10 a.m. Forced strike of employees of American companies and consulate, boycott of Americans and strong anti-American agitation developing suddenly today have caused me to alter the date of closing consulate to April 6th. All Americans have been advised to evacuate and most of them with homes in west Hunan will withdraw with me.
Standard Oil Company shops closed today by labor union and its office and installation occupied by pickets. American business community have moved aboard Standard Oil Company Mei Tun. Missionaries prefer to remain in city until evacuation.
Customs commissioner and foreign staff expect to leave with me.
Have abandoned plan of having German occupy consular residence.”
- Not printed.↩