893.00/8428
Memorandum by the Secretary of State81
The Chinese Minister called today and complained about the articles written by Moore, a correspondent of the New York Times, which he said created suspicion and animosity among the Chinese. He referred especially to the fact that as reported in the Times American marines were put in the front line position with the British thereby implying that they desired to place the burden of defense on the Americans. I told him, of course, that this Government had nothing to do with the reports of correspondents and could do nothing about it, that the whole subject of the protection of Americans and foreigners in the International Settlement was left in the hands of Admiral Williams to take such steps as he thought were necessary; that it seemed to me that the occurrences of the last few days had demonstrated the fact that it was necessary to have the forces of the various countries present in order to protect the foreigners in the Settlement from mob violence and from violence by the retreating Cantonese [sic] forces.
He also expressed his satisfaction of the attitude of the United States and wanted to know if I was prepared to make any further statement about our policy in China; especially he mentioned the fact of our authorizing a special representative of the Government in Hankow to deal with the Cantonese. I told him that I did not think it was wise at this time to make any further statement on the conditions in China or Chinese policies; that so far as having a representative at Hankow was concerned I had understood that it was perfectly agreeable to Eugene Chen to deal through our consular representative there, Mr. Lockhart, who represented the Minister, and that I did not see the necessity immediately of having a special representative. He said that Great Britain had just appointed a new representative to deal with this subject. I told him there was [Page 92] also the question of who we had to spare for this work, and it seemed to me that the Consul could handle matters. I gave him no assurance that we would appoint any one at present.
He said he thought the Cantonese had made good their statement that they intended to protect the foreign settlement. I said I hoped so but that before the Cantonese had occupied the Chinese City of Shanghai many acts of depredation on the rights of foreigners had taken place which demonstrated the necessity of our naval forces being present in Shanghai. He did not deny this, but said he thought the Cantonese would protect the foreigners. I told him I very much hoped so. This was the substance of his interview.
- Copy transmitted to the Minister in China in instruction No. 476, Apr. 2.↩