893.00/10453: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
414. My 401, May 19, noon. Following from the American Consul General at Canton:
“May 22, 4 p.m. Referring to my telegram of May 18, 1 p.m. Consular representatives concerned have received identic notes from the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs advising us of closing of West River to navigation for 14 days including foreign men-of-war and merchantmen. As Senior Consul, I have replied for myself and Consul[s] General of Japan, France, Great Britain and Portugal, calling attention to our rights under treaties and [sic] but promising to endeavor to conform as far as practicable in this instance to the wishes of the Chinese authorities, subject to instructions that may be received from our respective Governments; at the same time, however, warning Chinese authorities that men-of-war must continue the performance of their duties as authorized under the treaties and that, should difficulties result, in respect to either men-of-war or merchantmen, responsibility will rest with the Chinese authorities.
Consular and naval representatives have decided that men-of-war shall avoid West River as far as possible for the present, but what our attitude should be as to merchant ships is not so clear.
For the present, British merchant ships are not going up the West River, but it seems likely that convoys may become necessary if the blockade is prolonged. We have no ships on the West River except Standard Oil Company lighters, which company will probably wish to send up under convoy if the blockade continued unduly.
I am keeping in close touch with my colleagues; but, beforehand, would appreciate suggestions from the Legation as to how our merchant ships have [apparent omission] similar emergencies on the Yangtze. Consuls are agreed that, as duly constituted authorities, Cantonese should be allowed as much freedom as possible in their effort to suppress Kwangsi clique.
Legation has replied as follows:
“May 23, 6 p.m. Your May 22, 4 p.m., has been repeated to the Department. Legation approves action which you have taken. If blockade continues unduly and American merchant shipping becomes acutely affected, the Legation will give further consideration to question.”
- Telegram in two sections.↩