393.11/465: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 19—9:15 a.m.]
157. 1. Following from Chungking:
“February 11, 10 a.m. I respectfully offer for the consideration of the Legation the following aspect of the evacuation of Americans from Szechuan: evacuation is being effected at great individual [Page 261] sacrifice in the hope that definite action will be taken to accomplish a satisfactory and lasting settlement of the position of foreigners in China. The field so far as Szechuan is concerned will soon be very largely cleared. If the present crisis passes indeterminately and Americans return to their stations in Szechuan feeling that their withdrawal was unnecessary, it will be much more difficult, if not impossible, to clear the field during any new crisis in the near future.
I realize that my close viewpoint may cause me to exaggerate the importance of a clear field in its relation to the whole problem but beg to submit this aspect for what it may be worth. I have presented it to the British consul and understand that he is reporting it to his Legation.”
2. To which I have replied as follows:
“February 16, 7 p.m. Your February 11, 10 a.m. The Legation believes that the present evacuation of our nationals from certain portions of the interior, particularly from Szechuan and Hunan, is fully justified whether or not any actual outrages upon individuals may or may not have occurred in these regions during a period when the serious possibility of such outrages indubitably exists. It is of course impossible to guarantee that a satisfactory and lasting settlement of the position of foreigners in China can be obtained as the result of present or future negotiations; and in these circumstances I cannot foresee that it will be possible to sanction the return of our nationals to Szechuan until there can be had an entirely new and different basis for confidence than that arising from the mere signing of agreements. Were the Legation to adopt a more lenient attitude it would be carrying an unwarranted responsibility in encouraging our nationals to reside where effective protection cannot be given and where such residence might seriously embarrass the freedom of action of the American Government with respect to the protection of Americans in China as a whole.”