Office of the Historian

393.11/861

The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Consul at Tsinan (Price)26

[Extract]
Peking, August 27, 1928.

Sir: I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. L–40 of August 18, 1928,27 and to advert to your despatch No. L–37 of August 13, 1928,27 both concerning the question of giving official sanction for the return of Americans to interior places.

As you will remember, the Legation in its circular telegram of August 19, 5.00 p.m. (1927), provided that Americans might return to those points where they could be afforded protection or from which they could readily be evacuated in case of serious danger arising.

In a recent despatch to the Legation, Consul General Gauss suggested that Americans requesting official sanction for their return to points in the interior might safely be advised:

  • “1. That the Consulate General does not yet consider the political situation sufficiently settled to justify it in withdrawing its general advice to Americans not to proceed to interior places for purposes of residence;
  • 2. That while there is no serious objection to Americans returning to mission stations in quiet areas on lines of communication over which they can (and will) evacuate in event of the outbreak of further civil war in North China, the Consulate General must point out that the present unsettled political situation holds the possibility of the recrudescence of civil war and the decision to return must be made on the responsibility of the citizen and not that of the Consulate General (although in such cases travel passes might be granted if the Chinese authorities are willing to visa them).”

The Legation, in its instruction, sent in reply, stated: [Page 276]

“The Legation approves the suggestion quoted above and, while it believes that considerable discretion should be given to the Consulate General in Tientsin, it is suggested that the granting of travel passes should continue to be made the exception rather than the rule. It is also requested that a monthly list be supplied this Mission showing the names and places of residence of any American citizens who are known to have returned to their stations in the interior during the particular month under review.”

This exchange of correspondence sets forth the general policy which the Legation desires to have followed at the present time, and is quoted for your guidance. Should any specific questions arise in connection with the foregoing, in which you are in doubt, the Legation will be glad to be consulted.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I am [etc.]

Mahlon F. Perkins
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department without covering despatch; received October 13.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. Not printed.↩