793.94/2860: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 24—9:30 a.m.]
994. Your 418, November 14, 4 p.m. See Department’s instructions number 66, January 25, 1922, and 213, August 19, 1922.85 Legation’s files show, however, that in October and November 1911 the American Consul General at Tientsin appears to have associated himself with his colleagues in discussing and acting upon a request from the then Viceroy of Chihli for the temporary suspension or modification of the 20-li rule. I find weekly [no?] despatches to the Department on the subject, but see Peiping dean circulars numbers 151 and 152, November 1st; 155 and 157, November 5th; 167, November 11th; and 177, November 19, all in 1911.86
Consul General, Tientsin, reports as follows:
“November 17, 10 a.m. In the present situation the Japanese made the demand independently of the other powers signatory to the note of July 15th, 1902. Local American officials have in the present instance confined themselves exclusively to precautionary measures, in cooperation with the Chinese police authorities, for the protection of American lives and property by the employment of small detachments for guard duty in the general defense plans for Tientsin which have long been in force. It is not expected that there will be any need in the present circumstances to deviate from that course.”