893.00/9020: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
244. Your telegrams No. 601 of May 31, 6 p.m., and No. 615 of June 3, 9 p.m. My cable No. 243 of June 3, answers certain questions in your No. 601. In the military attaché’s report on the number of troops being sent by each country to Peking and to Tientsin I notice that there is no material difference from the number which we will have there when our marines arrive at Tientsin. The matter of any temporary removal of our Legation has been considered here very carefully. I fully realize the embarrassment of such removal. We are all very anxious that there shall be avoided any conflict in Peking between the mob of outgoing and incoming soldiers which might cause bloodshed and cause further agitation in China. Our desire is to remove any inducement to such conflicts as far as possible. I do not understand that any obligation is laid upon us under the Boxer protocol to maintain forces either at Peking or Tientsin. We are given a right to do that. But if we should withdraw, of course we would notify the other powers in good faith. The Department desires all possible information regarding when we would be justified in doing this, and also any comment you have, of course, regarding the effect of such withdrawal upon the Chinese. Admiral Williams was authorized to dispatch the marines to Tientsin and his action has the approval of the Government. I think you should have the removal of the Legation in mind and make preparations in advance as far as you can.
Your warning Americans along the line taken by the British circular is approved except that I do not see, in view of the probable [Page 130] evacuation of the Legation, how we can advise American citizens living inside the Legation to remain or advise others to come inside the Legation. Advise us on this subject fully.