893.00/11117: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 25—7 a.m.]
745. Legation’s 738, August 22, 10 p.m. Following from Hankow:
“August 21, 6 p.m. My August 21, 5 p.m. Hankow is an important center for American business which I feel should have every consistent assistance especially in view of the future possibilities in central and west China for the sales of American goods such as vehicles, petroleum products, largely farm and industrial machinery. The nucleus received by American trade established here, and it can ill afford to receive a set-back such as might occur from predatory and irresponsible armed forces.
I believe augmentation of foreign naval forces in Hankow has had the following excellent effects: (1) Stimulated local authorities to [Page 178] take preventive measures; (2) acted as a deterrent to so-called Communists’ activities.
The situation in Hankow now seems less tense. Under date of August 8 the Mayor of Hankow in a letter sent to foreign consuls resident [regarding?] communist activities requested them there to ‘instruct your subordinates to take strict precautions’. Because of the nature of the Minister’s [Mayor’s] letter I forwarded a copy to the Legation by covering despatch No. 1031 of August 14.”