893.00/4–2549: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 25—10:30 a. m.]
862. [To Shanghai:] Your 771, April 25.67 Following messages delivered to Ma Ching-yuen, chairman Nanking Peace Preservation Committee, at 4 p. m. 25th:
“I shall be grateful if you will forward to the appropriate military authority the following message:
‘The United States Naval vessels Eldorado and Chilton are presently at Shanghai on mission of assuring the safety of American nationals in Shanghai against [Page 1248] internal violence, and will withdraw from the Whangpoo as soon as they have completed their mission. The commercial vessel President Wilson is scheduled to enter the Whangpoo tomorrow, April 26, to sail the following day. Any other neutral ship in the Whangpoo is also using the river on purely peaceful mission.’
“It is hoped that, with this information in the hands of the military authorities, unhappy incidents and possible loss of life may be avoided.”
Letter signed by Bacon as US Consul at Nanking and as Second Secretary. Ma stated that he would deliver message to the “high military authorities” whom he did not name, but said had arrived Nanking today.
Sent Shanghai 444; repeated Department 862.
- Not found in Department of State files.↩