811.30 Asiatic Fleet/763a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Swatow (Young)
3. 1. Associated Press despatch under Hong Kong date line of June 23 reports that eight American sailors from the U. S. S. Pillsbury are patrolling entrances of the American Baptist Mission in Swatow.
2. It is the Department’s concept that naval units are landed for purposes of protection of American citizens from individual acts of lawlessness and dangers incident to serious disorder. The Department hopes that it will not be necessary for any naval personnel which may have been landed in Swatow to remain ashore for any extended period.
3. In order to enable the Department to answer inquiries from the press and other interested persons, please send the Department by priority radio a statement setting forth the details in regard to any landing of American sailors which may have been made. Also, as long as the situation at Swatow continues to be critical, the Department would appreciate receiving if possible somewhat more detailed daily radio reports than those thus far received.
Repeated to Peiping and Chungking.