893.00/8425: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:20 p.m.]
246. 1. Yesterday local newspapers carried a United Press report, dated Washington, March 21, to effect that on March 20 it was stated officially there that the American marines landed in Shanghai will not join British forces extending into the Chinese city but are cooperating with the British for the protection of American lives.
2. If [correct?] that statement appears to impose a limitation upon that discretion which was vested (your No. 84, March 9, and No. 72, February 25) in the commander in chief to take whatever steps developments may make necessary in his opinion in order to protect American life and property.
3. Any such public intimation of unwillingness fully to associate ourselves under the circumstances with those who in fact are affording most of the protection to American citizens in Shanghai, tends in the present state of extreme tension to impair the vitally necessary cooperation with them and to give encouragement to the more pronounced Chinese elements to devise means to create dissensions between us.
4. Respectfully I request that I be given telegraph authorization to inform the commander in chief, the consul general, and (as may be required by the occasion) interested colleagues and the Chinese authorities that no change is represented by the United Press message in our determination that the commander in chief shall do whatever in his judgment is necessary for the protection of American life and property.