393.1163/324a
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the International Missionary Council at New York (Warnshuis)
Sir: There is quoted for your information the following excerpt from a telegram from the American Consul at Chefoo, China, of date April 4, 5 p.m.:54
“In view of the uncertainty of the situation up country I have repeatedly advised women and children at Laichau, Hwanghsien and Tengchow to concentrate at Chefoo. While many have come, others persist in remaining. It is hoped that the Department can bring pressure through foreign mission board and Southern Baptist Convention.”
The Department realizes that withdrawal of American citizens from their places of residence in China may involve considerations of inconvenience and expense. The Department is confident, however, that American official representatives in China give advice in these matters only when and as the circumstances warrant; and the Department believes that in the matter of withdrawal from dangerous areas the interests of all concerned may best be promoted by action on the part of American citizens in accordance with the advice given by the Consuls.
The Department would be grateful if you would transmit to the mission organizations concerned the views of the Department as set forth herein.
I am [etc.]
Chief, Division of Far Eastern Affairs
- Telegram not printed.↩