393.11/1035
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Howard)
Excellency: Replying to your communication of December 10, 1929,33 inquiring whether the United States Government is taking or contemplating any measures for the protection of its nationals in China in view of the present situation there, I have the honor to inform you that in situations such as the one now obtaining in China, it is the policy of the American Government to evacuate American citizens from places of danger to places where they may be adequately protected. In accordance with this policy, on the night of December 8, seventy-three American citizens, chiefly women and children, were evacuated from Nanking to Shanghai.
The Commander-in-Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet left Manila on December 9 on board his flagship, the U. S. S. Pittsburgh, en route for Shanghai, where he is due to arrive on December 15.
No steps have been taken to add materially to the armed forces of the United States which have been for some time maintained in China. With a view to the possible necessity for the evacuation and protection of American citizens, United States naval vessels have been distributed to places which are thought to be convenient points of embarkation in case of need or where there may arise need for local protection.
The distribution of American military and naval forces in China at the present juncture is indicated on the enclosed memorandum.
Accept [etc.]
- Not printed.↩