893.00/4386: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Harbin (Hanson)
Department must necessarily rely largely on the discretion of Consuls, in cooperation with their colleagues, in meeting local emergencies such as contemplated in the last paragraph of your May 26, 3 p.m. While the Department would expect you to take every necessary and proper precaution to protect American lives which might be in jeopardy, requests for aid should be made only to the Chinese [Page 711] authorities who may employ whatever means the exigencies of the case may demand. Department is opposed in principle to intervention of foreign troops in settling local and factional disturbances in China and only in the greatest extremity where American lives are in imminent danger would you be warranted in accepting an offer of protection from such troops.
Department trusts that Chinese authorities will take the necessary precautions to forestall any local disturbances which might place the lives of foreigners in danger.
Repeat the above to Peking as Dept’s. number 136.
Keep the Department and the Legation promptly and fully informed of any important developments.