893.00/11076: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, August 15, 1930—11
a.m.
272. Your 684, August 8, 7 p.m., and 694, August 13, 6 p.m.
- (1)
- Your telegrams indicate that evacuation plans have been formulated by all the consuls at Hankow and plans have been made to concentrate American citizens who reside in the Wuhan cities.
- (2)
- After a careful consideration of all information and reports which have reached the Department regarding recent developments, the Department has seen fit to rely wholly upon the judgment of the Legation in China, of the Consulate General at Hankow, and of the naval officers in command for the disposal of American forces and for the measures in general to protect American lives and interests at Hankow. Special instructions have not been sought by the Legation, and the Department has seen no reason to offer such.
- (3)
- However, concerning the objectives to be sought in regard to protection plans, the Department desires to be informed as to whether the plants in force now as applying to the Hankow situation contemplate merely “evacuation” of American citizens in case of an acute crisis or the participation of American forces in the task of policing [Page 170] and perhaps even in the task of preventing “Communist” armed forces intruding from without. In the Department’s view, there is a substantial difference between the present situation and that which existed during the winter of 1926–1927. Hankow at that time was a military objective of Nationalist troops which were organized and fighting as a body under an organized authority declaring itself to be the rightful Government of the Chinese Republic. The general position then taken by the United States Government was that American armed forces should not be used to resist an organized attack by Chinese armed forces. At the present time the menace is from lawless action inside the city or from attack outside by predatory and irresponsible armed forces.
- (4)
- The Department feels warranted, in the present situation, to suggest that it is not necessary to restrict measures which are planned to protect American lives and property to steps required to evacuate American citizens; that, in case the work of policing is undertaken by foreign forces, cooperation would be justified; and that, with respect to measures intended for the protection from predatory and irresponsible armed forces of American and other foreign lives and property at Hankow, participation therein might, in the event of an attack, be warranted.
- (5)
- Referring to the instructions concerning possible defense measures at Shanghai (see the Department’s 47, February 5, 6 p.m.), the same principles may, the Department feels, reasonably be applied at Hankow.
- (6)
- The Department makes these suggestions so that you may be informed of its attitude. Such portion of the foregoing as you may deem advisable should be imparted by you, as the Department’s thought in the matter, to the Commander in Chief and to the Consul General at Hankow.
- (7)
- Respecting the plans mentioned in (3) above, the Department desires information and will welcome such comments as you may wish to make. Please inform the Department in the event of any changed plans.
Carr