893.00/9145: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 27—10:15 a.m.]
681. Legation’s 688, June 18, 7 p.m. [656, June 18, 1 p.m.?]
- 1.
- Following from American consul at Yunnanfu:
“June 23, 2 p.m. Your June 17, 4 a.m. The recent fighting in Yunnanfu results from personal jealousies of two Chinese generals and has taken no antiforeign turn although naturally dangerous and conducive to disorder. Since the British, French and Japanese consuls are not leaving for the present and since Standard Oil Company representative objects to our closing I believe it would be in the interest of our prestige to remain open and to continue to be guided by the Legation’s May 16, 5 p.m.34 Americans in the district have been twice warned that they remain at their own risk.”
- 2.
- I am replying as follows:
“June 27, 6 p.m. Your June 23, 2 p.m. Your June 14, 3 p.m.,35 gave me the decided impression, as it could not fail to do, that you considered it an unreasonable risk both for yourself and other American citizens to remain longer in Yunnanfu. If such is not the case, as would now appear to be your opinion (your June 23, 2. p.m.) you may keep the consulate open and continue to be guided by the Legation’s May 16, 5 p.m.”