393.11/491: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:33 p.m.]
254. 1. Following telegram is being sent to American consuls at Changsha and Chungking:
“March 25, 3 p.m. You are instructed to urge imperatively immediate withdrawal of all American citizens in Changsha (Chungking) and the rest of your consular district and to inform any refusing to withdraw that they do so entirely at their own risk. By way of exception to the above I assume that there is no necessity of evacuation of those resident on Tibetan border (foregoing sentence sent only to Chungking).
The Legation is considering closing the consulate and recommending withdrawal of the gunboat as soon as sufficient number of days have elapsed for Americans now remaining to withdraw. Meanwhile in an acute emergency you are authorized to close the consulate and withdraw with other Americans.
Reports from Nanking indicate existence of a most grave situation involving the loss of American and other foreign lives at the hands of the Nationalist soldiers looting consulates and withdrawal of foreigners under the protective fire of foreign gunboats.12
Acknowledge the receipt of this telegram and report on situation.”
2. Consul general is being instructed to continue as rapidly as possible withdrawal of all Americans in Hankow and the rest of his consular district.
3. Consuls at Foochow, Amoy, Swatow and Canton are being instructed to concentrate all Americans in their districts at a point suitable for immediate evacuation with the assistance of naval vessels now at or proceeding to their respective ports.
4. I request your authorization at my discretion to direct closing of consulates at Changsha and Chungking and to recommend the withdrawal of gunboats at those places as soon as a final opportunity has been given for remaining Americans to withdraw. In that case consuls would proceed to Hankow pending further instructions.