393.1163/275: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:20 p.m.]
54. Department’s mail instruction July 23 concerning return Americans to Honan. Since Honan Provincial Government last May officially requested that “foreigners be notified to suspend travel to Honan as a precautionary measure against untoward occurrences” prima facie request has not been withdrawn and since travel facilities Honan are inadequate and uncertain and the general situation has not shown any marked improvement supported by any fundamental background of security, I am not disposed [to] recommend any general return [of] Americans to that Province. In addition [Page 275] failure Nanking plenary powers and further to establish any cohesiveness among different factions and the action of conference25 in inviting and encouraging return of old radical group to participation in affairs of government are circumstances covering a period of further doubt as to wisdom of advising general return to interior inaccessible points. However I do not consider that those desiring return should be prevented from doing so provided they understand return is at their own risk and that in case of trouble only assistance that can be rendered is that obtainable from Chinese authorities.
Repeated to Legation.
- Fifth plenary session of the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang, Nationalist Government.↩