893.00/11922: Telegram
The Consul at Amoy (Franklin) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received May 3—9:20 a.m.]
For the Minister. Referring to my telegram of May 3, 1 a.m., and to the Minister’s telegram of May 2, 11 a.m. I have this morning at consular body meeting informed my colleagues that my instructions are the same as those received by our senior naval officers and that American naval operations will not be used on International Settlement at Kulangsu beyond those strictly necessary for the protection of American life, in connection with which a menace appears to be present but not in action. At this meeting the consular body recommended to the President of the Municipal Council making efforts to obtain additional police from Shanghai and Hong Kong and issuance of proclamation of assurances that there was no cause for alarm [Page 509] with so many foreign warships in China. Consul Green in Swatow telegraphs me as follows:
“May 3, 10 a.m. Missionaries who have evacuated Ungkung report that troops sent to combat Communists in Fukien are disbanding and refusing to fight. No Americans at Ungkung, situation being watched closely. So far only slight indication that Communists might enter Eastern Kwangtung.”
I understand Ungkung is about 10 miles southwest of Chaoan across Fukien border. Repeated to Shanghai and Legation.