893.00/1–1648: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)
99. Telegrams summarizing press reaction recent events Kowloon as well as those reporting Canton affair and subsequent demonstrations Shanghai give Dept impressions that Kmt elements among which CC clique most prominent deliberately built up pressure public indignation and touched off spark Canton riots. Once stirred up feeling this sort likely turn into indiscriminate anti-foreignism or be directed by CCP and other unfriendly Chinese into anti-American channels.
Dept of course aware Chinese utilization agitation as diplomatic weapon has been all too frequent in the past and considers proper protection US citizens requires we attempt discourage Chinese use this [Page 54] double-edged weapon. Accordingly it is requested that Minister Counselor on his return Nanking give FonMin92 benefit first-hand observations Canton affair of himself, AMA, and ANA93 together with his own reactions to incident. He should (sent Nanking as 99, repeated Shanghai as 118 and Canton as 10) mention that only good fortune and presence mind concerned US citizens prevented serious harm their lives and property and that we reserve all rights with respect such property damage as did result.