893.51/4432: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Schurman)

243. Your No. 379, December 1, 4 p.m., and No. 381, December 4, 1 p.m. The Department believes that it is of the utmost importance to maintain the integrity of the Customs revenues, and that the [Page 563] seizure of the Canton Customs as threatened by Sun would not only result in the general disintegration of the said revenues, but would also imperil the whole system of treaty rights under which foreign trade with China is carried on. The Department therefore approves of your concurrence in the warning to be despatched by the Dean to the Senior Consul at Canton as quoted in your telegram above mentioned. With a view to averting the threatened seizure of the Customs, it also approves of the plan for a concentration of naval units as recommended by the several ministers whose governments have warships on the China station. The Department is conferring with the Navy Department with a view to appropriate instructions being issued to the Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet and the Commander of the South China Patrol for the cooperation of the Navy in such measures, short of actual warfare, as may be deemed advisable. It is being suggested that the naval forces assigned for this purpose be guided by the advice of the Legation and the Consulate General at Canton to the fullest extent compatible with their military responsibilities.

Report immediately all developments in the situation.

Hughes