893.00/13045: Telegram

The Minister in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State

167. Following has been received from the Vice Consul at Yunnanfu.94

“April 24, 4 p.m. Vanguard of 3000 Reds have passed Yunnan border near Hwangni. While the situation is not considered alarming, American citizens have been requested to prepare for evacuation on short notice. The British and French Consuls are taking similar measures. Railway company is keeping special train in readiness for possible emergency.

The Legation’s instructions are requested should the situation become dangerous for the Consulate.”

Legation has instructed Ringwalt as follows:

“April 25, noon. Your April 24, 4 p.m. In an emergency you are authorized to close the consulate, remove the archives, and proceed to Haiphong, pending further instructions. On account of the remoteness of your post from Peiping, the Legation is not in a position to instruct you promptly in matters affecting the safety of American nationals and yourself and it therefore gives you complete discretion and relies upon you to take such measures as you may consider necessary.

See Legation’s telegraphic instructions of May 16, 1927, 5 p.m., and February 12, 1932, 6 p.m.”

Legation’s May 16, 5 p.m. 1927, to Yunnanfu was repeated to Department in the Legation’s 560 of the same date95 and was approved in the Department’s telegram 224, May 18, 4 p.m., 1927.96 Legation in that telegram to Yunnanfu instructed the Consul to proceed to Hong Kong in case of evacuation but it believes that Haiphong is safe and has accordingly instructed Ringwalt to proceed to that point in case of evacuation.

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Legation’s February 12, 6 p.m., 1932 to Yunnanfu repeated the gist of the Department’s 19 February 13 [3], 7 p.m. 1932, to Nanking for the Minister.97

Department’s approval of Legation’s telegram to Ringwalt and any further instructions on the matter will be appreciated.

For the Minister:
Lockhart