893.515/625: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 19—7:28 a.m.]
295. Department’s 135, May 21, 5 p.m. Information thus far obtained by the Legation indicates that there is no appreciable tendency towards a boycott of American goods.5 An undercurrent of resentment persists in some circles regarding the silver policy of the American Government and this provides a ready vehicle for the need to fix the blame somewhere for the existing economic and financial depression in China. Nevertheless despite the increasing seriousness of the financial criticisms of the American silver purchase policy [criticisms?] seem now to be subordinated more definitely than before to an appreciation of the significance of general economic factors.
It is believed that an anti-American boycott would not develop unless official support were extended to such a movement and that such action is unlikely in view of the involved political situation in the Far East as well as for other reasons.
Repeated to Nanking and Shanghai.
- Separate reports to the Department from Hankow, June 3, 4 p.m. (893.515/597); Yunnanfu, June 11, 9 a.m. (893.515/605); Shanghai, June 21, 11 a.m. (893.515/631) stated, in effect, that there were no serious manifestations of anti-American feeling or tendency toward a boycott of American goods.↩