393.115/10–2745: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 27—12:32 p.m.]
1874. Following from Edwards [at] Hankow repeated for Department’s information:
“7. October 24, 3 p.m. Action AmEmbassy, Chungking and Am-Consul, Shanghai. The problem of protecting American property in the Hankow area, consisting mostly of schools, hospitals and other mission installations, is rendered more difficult by Chinese military occupation. Under such occupation undesirable changes, not only destruction of property, cannot easily be prevented. Upcountry mission property with no sort of protection at all, moreover, are being reportedly stripped by local populace. The only satisfactory solution to protect occupation and loss is to allow American owners to return to their properties at the earliest possible opportunity. The representative of the British Embassy, Lieutenant Colonel Annand, arrived here on the 22nd, and he is making similar recommendations to his Embassy.”
Embassy is facilitating in every appropriate way return of American nationals to their properties in China.