Papers Relating to the Foreign relations of the United States, 1927, Volume II

393.11/641: Telegram

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

Peking, May 15, 1927—3 p.m.
[Received May 16—6:02 a.m.]

557. Following telegram has been received from American consul at Yunnanfu:

“May 11, 11 a.m.

1. Referring to telegram of May 7, 10 a.m. There are still 46 Americans in Yunnan: 16 men, 18 women, 12 children; as well as 4 men, 5 women at Batang in Szechwan. All were advised to evacuate by British consul here in accordance with your instruction of April 11th through the British Minister but the majority are not leaving. In view of the fact that conditions here have become so much worse it is my opinion that all Americans, especially women and children in the interior, should leave and believe that further instructions from the Legation to me in the premises would assist to that end.

2. Since the overthrow of Governor Tang Chi-yao in February and the alignment of Yunnan with the Nationalist cause there has been a disintegration of central authority especially recently with increasing antiforeign propaganda and banditry. Two foreigners have been killed and five captured within the past three weeks. The number of bandits is reported to be about 15,000 largely armed ex-soldiers constituting a serious menace. On May 9th there was an antiforeign demonstration of students during which shopkeepers handling foreign goods were threatened and antiforeign speeches made.

3. British consul is packing archives preparatory to leaving should conditions become worse while the French consul and most remaining foreigners have either sent their household and personal effects to Tonkin or have packed them.”

MacMurray