393.11/601A: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
171. For your consideration and comment representative of Standard Oil Company of New York today left with Department telegram from their Hongkong office, dated April 14, reading in part as follows:
“All West River staff temporarily in Hongkong but expect Kongmoon and Wuchow men to return next week. In our opinion it is a serious mistake to create ill will by withdrawal of Americans from ports where conditions are peaceful because of serious situation at other ports. If one naval vessel is available at each port as at [Page 291] present we believe this adequate to protect essential men who should remain with full approval of Legation and only to evacuate if condition at each individual port makes it necessary. This policy we believe will retain Chinese good will as long as possible and very likely at some ports throughout the crisis.”