393.1163/269
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart)
Sir: The Department refers to your despatch No. 778 of May 21, 1928,22 transmitting a copy of your despatch of May 16, 1928, to the Legation at Peking,22 containing excerpts from letters from American citizens in the interior. Particular reference is made to your statements on pages 3 and 4 regarding the return of Americans to interior points in your district. The Department transmits herewith a copy of a letter from the Board of Foreign Missions of the Augustana Synod,22 together with a copy of the Department’s reply of today’s date regarding the return of missionaries to Honan Province. In view of your statement in the despatch to the Legation that the situation might improve within the next two or three months to an extent which would warrant a return of Americans to the interior, it is desired that you telegraph the Department briefly on receipt of this instruction whether you consider that an improvement has taken place in conditions in Honan Province to an extent which would permit a return of the missionaries of the Augustana Synod with a reasonable assurance of safety.
I am [etc.]