One of the most illuminating statements of the American position was made by the Secretary of State when he answered a routine request from the Senate for statistics on American nationals. and investments in China.
The policy of the Administration the Secretary pointed out was to protect the American citizen wherever he might be. One citizen had as much right to protection as another, and protection should not be denied merely because the material interests of American citizens in a pa ticular locality were not high. "There is a broader and much more fundamental interest—which is that orde; processes in international relationships must be maintained. The interest far transcends in importance the value of American trade with China or American investments in China; it transcends even the question of safeguarding the immediate welfare of American citizens in China.
"In connection with the problem of affording appropriate protection to Americans in China there must be kept ín mind the fact that we have nationals in practically every country of the world; that the number of Americans proceeding abroad for business purposes is not great than, is probably less than, the number Who go abroad for educational cultural and philanthropic purpose: and that 'a policy of abandoning American nationals in any one part of the world would have inevitable and serious repercussions adverse to the legitimate rights of Americans ud the legitimate interests of this country in other parts, in most parts, of the world."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.