393.11/1174

Memorandum by the Minister in China (Johnson)3

In a conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs this afternoon, I told him that my Government was extremely agitated over the safety of American citizens in the city of Kanchow in the Province of Kiangsi which had been under siege by Communists or lawless persons for sometime. I said that reports had reached us that the lives of these Americans were in danger and that the American Government had instructed me to ask that the Chinese Government do something to relieve this situation and make it possible for these people to get out of there.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs made a note of my request and said he would send a telegram to that area. He said it was the opinion of the Minister of War that the military officer in charge at Kanchow had sufficient troops to protect and hold the city. He said that no reinforcements were being sent.

  1. Copy transmitted to the Department without covering despatch; received June 19, 1930.