893.00/11076: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
684. Department’s 264, August 6, 6 [2] p.m., last paragraph.
1. (a) I perceive no immediate necessity for any special arrangement for international cooperation at Hankow. Department will have been informed by Tokyo’s 128, August 1, 4 p.m., of steps which Japanese Government has for its own part considered necessary to take at Hankow. My telegram No. 682, August 5 [8], 5 p.m., repeating [Page 165] Hankow’s August 7, 5 p.m., will inform the Department of progress of the Japanese plans. Hankow’s August 7, 5 p.m., also reports despatch of something over 100 British soldiers to Hankow for protection purposes. Commander of Yangtze Patrol in his telegram 0006–0930 to Commander in Chief intimates that British plan to reoccupy old British concession at Hankow and to defend same in case of uprising.
Personally I would not be surprised if the British entertained some such plan as I heard it gossiped about when in Hankow sometime ago. Because of above facts I doubt wisdom of formally entering any plan of international cooperation.
(b) I do not believe that any special instructions are needed at this time. Hankow informed Legation in a telegram dated August 4, 4 p.m., that all consuls at Hankow had formulated evacuation plans. On August 5, 8 p.m., the American Consul telegraphed that situation was easier, that Admiral Craven was there and that three American gunboats were present at Hankow (Legation’s 670, August 6, noon). Existing instructions admit complete cooperation with other defensive forces in an emergency where all lives are in danger.
In my opinion instructions at this time would give significance to our action beyond anything we might intend.
2. Legation is immediately requesting Hankow for estimate regarding (1) danger of Hankow being attacked from outside forces, (2) danger of Chinese uprising inside Hankow. Admiral Craven in his 0006–0930 to the Commander in Chief indicated that situation at Hankow was much improved with no apprehension of Communists. American Consul at Hankow in his telegram of August 5, 8 p.m. indicated situation at Hankow easier although on August 7, 5 p.m. he indicated that there is [are] unfortunate circumstances in Hankow with emergency martial law in effect.
- Telegram in three sections.↩