893.5045/328: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 15—7 a.m.]
176. My 159, April 1, 5 p.m. Following telegram sent to the American consul general, Canton:
“April 15, noon. My telegram March 31, 5 p.m.
1. Representative of Standard Oil has communicated to me a telegram from their Hongkong office from which the following is quoted:
‘Chinese merchants now arranging supply Wuchowfu with miscellaneous California brands en route Whampoa and if successful we fear strike organization Wuchowfu on that account influenced to prohibit importation by our lighters. To date Wuchowfu officials and strikers association would welcome arrival our goods, and British have demonstrated by recent naval escorts to A. P. Company lighters that no conflicts with Kwangtung government would result if lighters convoyed by foreign gunboats.’
Telegram further requests reconsideration decision not to furnish naval convoy.
2. In view of new factors presented and particularly of its appearing that in the case of British convoys strike pickets have not brought on conflicts, please telegraph me whether in your judgment the facts warrant a reconsideration [of] the question of expediency of convoy.”