Office of the Historian

393.11/1207: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, July 10, 1930—5 p.m.
[Received July 10—2:05 p.m.56]

561. Legation’s 548, July 7, 5 p.m., and 558, July 9, 6 p.m.

1.
Following from American Consul General at Hankow:

“July 9, 3 p.m. Your July 7, 5 p.m.

(1)
Communists have retired from Yochow, their exact whereabouts are not definitely known, and Yochow and Chenglingki are garrisoned by National troops according to information today received from Admiral Craven who is at Chenglingki. Danger of cut-off [of] upcountry communications is therefore averted.
(2)
As Chungking and, to the best of my knowledge, Chengtu areas are quiet, it would seem that there is no necessity for Americans to withdraw therefrom. Hunan, Hupeh, Kiangsi and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Honan are bandit and communist infested and there is therefore constant danger to Americans living at interior points. This condition is not new and must be known to the Americans who choose to reside at such places. The Consulate General has consistently refused to issue travel certificates to Americans proceeding to points from which they could not be quickly and safely evacuated in case of danger.
(3)
I shall, if the Legation approves such course, circularize Americans in those four provinces, stating that the Consulate General feels that they are exposing themselves to constant danger by residing in places from which they cannot be quickly and safely evacuated in case of necessity.
(4)
I consider the greatest danger to Americans residing in the interior at present is capture by bandits or Communists for ransom purposes.
(5)
It does not seem probable that under existing conditions Americans residing in the interior will respond to advice for a general withdrawal.”
2.
Legation is approving circular proposed by Hankow in paragraph 3. Repeated to Commander in Chief.
For the Minister:
Perkins
  1. Telegram in two sections.↩