893.00/10873: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
404. Legation’s 396, June 2, 9 p.m.30
1. Following from American Consul at Tsinanfu:
“June 3, 3 p.m. Yesterday afternoon General Han informed the Consuls here that he had withdrawn all of his troops to the south bank of the river in accordance with the instructions of the Government. He also said that one of his own men had replaced General Chen’s man as local defense commissioner.
It was gathered General Han contemplated holding Tsinanfu even though the Government forces might be defeated on the Lunghai front, hoping thereby to force the Northerners to treat with him in such a contingency, or retreat [retreating?] east along the Kiaochow Railway as a last resort.
Withdrawal of Han’s troops places Tsinanfu directly in the fighting zone. It would be possible to shell the city from the other side of the river.
At the time of General Han’s announcement I and my colleagues expressed the hope that no fighting would be carried on in the city and settlement of Tsinanfu. While expressing a desire to afford all possible protection to foreign residents here, General Han was unable to assure us that there would be no fighting in the immediate vicinity of Tsinanfu due to his apparent determination not to give up the Yellow River Bridge without a struggle.
In view of the situation I and my colleagues decided today to request our respective Legations to communicate with the proper authorities on both sides in an effort to prevent fighting in Tsinanfu and the immediate vicinity and if possible to arrange for a guard of military police to be left here by the outgoing military authorities until the arrival of the incoming Government officers. From my Japanese colleague it is understood that the Japanese Government has already brought the question of the protection of its nationals here to the attention of both belligerents.”
2. I am telegraphing the American Consul at Nanking to request the Ministry for Foreign Affairs that steps be taken to afford adequate protection to American citizens in the Tsinanfu district. I have also made personal and informal representations to Marshal Yen’s local representative who is requesting that suitable measures be taken by the Shansi authorities to the same end.
3. Stanton is being instructed to use his discretion in advising the withdrawal of American citizens from Tsinanfu.