393.1163 Am 32/84
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Gauss)
Sir: Reference is made to the Legation’s despatch No. 2973, of September 12, 1934, with enclosed copy, in translation, of a note dated August 7, 1934, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and to the Legation’s telegram No. 466 of October 13, 1 p.m.,72 in regard to the alleged plots against the lives of American missionaries and the persecution [Page 477] of native converts of the American Baptist Mission in southwestern Yunnan, stating that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests that the Reverend William M. Young and his two sons, Harold and Vincent, be withdrawn from China. Reference is also made to Yunnanfu’s despatch No. 206 of September 28, 1934, to the Legation,73 reporting the issuance of a proclamation by the Yunnan provincial government in the matter of religious liberty and non-interference with the work of the American Baptist Mission.
The Department informed Dr. J. C. Robbins, Foreign Secretary of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, New York, of pertinent parts of the Legation’s despatch No. 2973 of September 12, 1934, and forwarded to him a copy, in translation, of the note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with copies of five enclosures thereto in which are set forth charges of the Chinese authorities against Mr. William M. Young and his two sons.
Dr. Robbins called at the Department on November 7, 1934, to discuss the difficulties in which the mission finds itself and a copy of memorandum of the conversation which took place on that day is enclosed73 for the information of the Legation. It will be noted that Dr. Robbins stated that, subject to the approval of the mission board, he would instruct Vincent Young to keep the local Chinese authorities informed of the general policies of the mission; advise Vincent Young to refrain from concerning himself with or appearing to countenance the destruction of idols and altars and to refrain from suggesting or supporting in any way the refusal of the Christians to make donations for the upkeep of village property; endeavor to send a new family to the mission station at Bana to assist Mr. Vincent Young and eventually to take over his duties if that became necessary in the interest of the mission work; endeavor to keep Harold Young away from Yunnan until such time as the relations of the mission with the Chinese authorities had materially improved; and suggest to the mission the advisability of its undertaking some practical welfare work among the Chinese and being more assiduous in cultivating them than has been done in the past. It is believed that Dr. Robbins fully appreciates that, unless the relations of the mission with the local Chinese authorities are appreciably improved, the mission will find it difficult to continue its work in that field.
In view of recent developments in the case, particularly the reported intention of Mr. William M. Young to leave Yunnan early in November 1934 and the issuance by the provincial government of Yunnan of a proclamation in regard to religious liberty and non-interference [Page 478] with the work of the American Baptist Mission, it is suggested that the Legation, if it perceives no objection, refrain from further communicating with the Foreign Office in regard to this case unless new developments arise requiring further representations or the Foreign Office persists in pressing for the withdrawal of all the Youngs from China. The Department’s suggestion is based upon the conclusions of the Vice Consul at Yunnanfu, given in his despatch No. 206 of September 28, 1934, to the effect that provided Mr. William M. Young is withdrawn from China and the missionaries restrict their activities and those of the mission within treaty limits, there is every likelihood that no further agitation against the mission will occur.76
It is desired, of course, that the Legation continue to keep the Department currently informed of any developments that may occur.
Very truly yours,
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- The Department in its No. 1533, December 7, 1934, informed the Chargé that the Board of Managers of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, at a meeting held November 19–21, 1934, decided not to return the Reverend and Mrs. Harold Young to China (393.1163 Am 32/85). Rev. William M. Young, meanwhile, had left Yunnan for the United States on November 1, 1934 (393.1163 Am 32/92).↩