Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1927, Volume II

893.00/8756: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)⁹³

[Paraphrase]

Washington, April 26, 1927—2 p.m.

188. Your No. 473, April 22, 5 p.m.

1. It is the understanding of the Department that Admiral Williams has at his disposal in his discretion for use in Tientsin or Peking 1,500 marines now on the Henderson to land at Shanghai about May 1, and 1,500 marines now on the President Grant to land in the Philippines at Olongapo about May 3. Thus there will be 3,000 marines available at Peking and Tientsin for protection of American lives and property there, in addition to the 1,300 soldiers and marines who are already there. If it becomes absolutely necessary, there will be available in addition to the above a regiment of approximately 2,000 white troops now held in the Philippines (as stated in Department’s 123 of April 4, 3 p.m.)

2. The Government of the United States is not prepared to dispatch a division or more of troops, as suggested by the British Government. And yesterday the Japanese Ambassador confirmed the statement of the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs to British Ambassador in Tokyo (see No. 57 from Tokyo to Department, April 18, 4 p.m.⁹⁴) that the Japanese Government was not prepared to send more troops at this time to Peking and Tientsin.

3. In reply to the British Embassy’s note (Department’s No. 165 to you April 15, 6 p.m.⁹⁴) the Department will inform British Government of its attitude in general toward this question. You are at liberty frankly to give this Government’s views to your colleagues in Peking.

4. In regard to third paragraph of your telegram, Department does not understand your statement to effect that withdrawal of all American diplomatic and consular officers from China would be necessitated by withdrawal of the Legation. Department does not see necessity for any such action. It would propose that the Legation and consulates in China be maintained at such points where they could remain safely and still continue to have some contact with the situation.

Repeat to Admiral Williams.

Kellogg

93. The Minister in China reported in telegram No. 506, Apr. 30, 3 p.m., as follows: “I read to my four interested colleagues yesterday the first three paragraphs of your telegram No. 188, Apr. 26th.” (File No. 893.00/8811.)
94. Not printed.
94. Not printed.