123 Cabot, John M.: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai ( Cabot ) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 27—12:32 p. m.]
1866. I issued following statement May 27 in response to request by North China Daily News reporter who had previously received similar statement from British Consul General Urquhart. My statement was distributed by USIS34 to local press in both English and Chinese languages as well as to press in other Chinese cities where USIS represented.
“So far as we have been able to ascertain no Americans have been injured in course of fighting in or around Shanghai. All reports so far indicate that the Communist soldiers have respected Americans and their property despite certain relatively minor difficulties which have arisen in a few instances.
The American community, both business and philanthropic, is carrying on and intends to continue to do so insofar as this is permitted by the new authorities. They feel that their activities are a benefit to China as well as the organizations they represent. They will, I am confident, respect the laws and regulations instituted as required by the new authorities in their public announcements.
It will be necessary to wait until the new authorities have established the policies which they propose to follow before it is possible to say whether the American community can look to the future with optimism, but the community’s first reactions have been distinctly favorable. For those who have suffered tragic losses in the hostilities which have swept over Shanghai the American community feels deeply [Page 1159] sympathetic; it is fervently thankful for the greater horrors from which Shanghai has happily been spared.”
Sent Department 1866, repeated Nanking 1024, to Canton.
- United States Information Service.↩