File No. 893.00/724.
The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.
Peking, October 26, 11.
The Department’s telegram of October 14, announcing that the American Government was contemplating advising its nationals in [Page 166] the disturbed districts to remove to such open ports as could be protected by vessels of war excited some comment here. On the whole the diplomatic representatives here who were consulted by their Governments were not disposed to approve of the suggestion. The Legation expressed its views in its telegram of October 17. * * * Americans are scattered all over the Empire. Many of them can reach the coast only after journeys of a month or more at considerable expense, and where the whole country is in a state of excitement and unrest it seems to the Legation to be best for those in distant places to remain where they are well known rather than to undertake to reach the coast. In view of the fact that both parties to the conflict are anxious to protect foreigners and their interests there is less likelihood of attacks on Americans than in previous troubles. A general movement of foreigners to the seaports would, furthermore, occasion general alarm and not unlikely induce attacks upon their property. The Legation will of course when danger threatens spare no effort to warn those who can be reached and endeavor to remove to Peking, Tsiensin, Shanghai or other ports those who can reach such ports without encountering greater danger than that which menaces them at their homes. * * *
I have [etc.]