893.00 Tsinan/26: Telegram

The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State

325. 1. On May 7th, I addressed the following telegram to General Hwang Fu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nanking:

“May 7, 6 p.m. Having heard of disturbances at Tsinanfu I am most anxious concerning the safety of Americans in that city. There are two American consular officers and over thirty American citizens there. I confidentially rely upon you to see to it that these Americans and their property are fully protected.”

2. I have now received his answer as follows:

“May 8th. Yours 7th received. I just left Tsinanfu when disturbances occurred. I met American residents of Shantung Christian University. General Chiang Kai-Shek41 also interviewed American consul. Both of your compatriots were eyewitnesses of the acts of Japanese troops and most jealously [zealously?] made efforts to smooth the differences. [Page 221] Now American consulate is safeguarded by 1 Chinese military officer and 10 gendarmerie. Americans all safe, please keep me advised. Feel anxious [No anxiety]. Hwang Fu.”

MacMurray
  1. Commander in chief, Chinese Nationalist armies.