893.00/8861: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 7—7:56 a.m.]
528. Following received from American consul, Foochow:
“May 4, 6 p.m. I am reliably informed that an agreement between the Nanking Government and the Chinese Navy has been made where-under a new permanent provincial administrative board consisting of conservative Fukienese headed by Admiral Yang Shu-chwang will shortly replace the present provisional board. The movement for the driving out [of] local radical element reported in my telegram April 8, 1 p.m., may be considered practically complete so far as Foochow itself is concerned. Popular sentiment appears to be strongly in favor of Chiang Kai-shek and the radical changes locally. Are you in a position to give any general indication of American policy with respect to the Nanking Government and the local governments now aligned therewith?”
2. I replied as follows:
“May 7, 5 p.m. Your May 4, 6 p.m. American policy with respect to Nanking authorities and other local authorities in China remains unchanged, that is to say, the American Government is entirely neutral, not aligning itself with or opposing any faction in the present civil strife in China.”