893.102 Kulangsu/154: Telegram
The Consul at Amoy (MacVitty) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 26—6:30 a.m.]
39. Indications this morning are that the abrupt termination of the naval conferences by Admiral Noble yesterday took the Japanese by complete surprise and that they are now in a much more conciliatory mood and the prospects of a solution of the situation are at present more hopeful.
The Japanese have announced that their blockade will not interfere with supplies of food from the mainland to Kulangsu.
Japanese press reports that there was increase in anti-Japanese activities in the Settlement after the landing of American, British and French forces are without foundation. Suggestions to this effect were made during the naval conferences but the Japanese were unable to cite specific cases.
Admiral Noble will leave for Shanghai today on the Birmingham which is being succeeded by the British cruiser Cornwall. The British Ambassador arrived today on the Cornwall and will proceed to Shanghai on the Birmingham. It is expected that the U.S.S. Marblehead will leave for Shanghai tomorrow morning, Captain Stapler, Commander of the South China Patrol, will transfer his flag to the U.S.S. Tulsa and sailors from the Tulsa will replace the Marblehead’s landing force at the Consulate.
Repeated to Peiping, Chungking, Shanghai.