393.11/642: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 16—8:53 a.m.]
560. My telegram 557, May 15, 2 p.m. I am replying to Yunnan-fu’s May 11, 11 a.m. as follows:
“May 16, 5 p.m. Your May 11, 11 a.m. 1. Legation approves your recommendations with regard to safeguarding American citizens to Yunnanfu; and you are instructed to advise all Americans in your district to withdraw either to Yunnanfu or from the province entirely as circumstances may in your opinion demand. In an emergency, you are authorized to close the consulate, remove the archives, and proceed to Hong Kong pending further instructions. On account of the remoteness of your post from Peking, Legation is not in a position to instruct you promptly in matters affecting the safety of our [Page 299] nationals and yourself and it therefore gives you complete discretion and relies upon you to take such measures as you may consider necessary.”