893.00/8508: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
123. Your telegrams No. 277, March 29, noon; No. 310, March 31, 11 p.m., and No. 311, March 31, midnight.
In consideration of Admiral Williams’ views which were set forth in his telegram No. 0002–2345, in which you will note he expects to have at Shanghai about April 28 an additional regiment of marines available for possible use in Tientsin, will not the situation in Tientsin be provided for to your satisfaction by holding in Manila a regiment of white troops (strength with detachments approximately 2,000) available on short notice in Tientsin within seven days?
There will be available for service a division of troops on the Pacific Coast when needed to reinforce present forces in Asia. The question is being considered here whether or not this division should be started for the Philippines so as to be available in case of need.
The steps you are taking to secure the evacuation of civilian Americans to Tientsin are approved by the Department. It agrees with Admiral Williams that in the event of serious danger the Legation and staff should remove to Tientsin in order to avoid a repetition of the situation in 1900. I believe you should begin to give encouragement to the women of the Legation to leave Peking.
The War Department is informed by General Castner that the other foreign detachments in Tientsin are to be reinforced. State Department desires you, if you can, to furnish it with details regarding the nationalities and numbers of reinforcements.