393.11/485: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 22—11:45 a.m.]
240. 1. Following sent to American consuls in Nationalist territory, including Shanghai:
“March 22, 5 p.m.
- (1)
- In view of the fall of Shanghai area into the hands of Nationalist forces and the probability of incidents which might lead to antiforeign reaction throughout China, you are reminded of the Legation’s telegraphic instructions of January 13, 3 p.m.,9 authorizing you in your discretion to urge American citizens to evacuate from your district, and of its telegraphic instructions authorizing you [Page 263] to incur expenses in connection therewith. Any plans to that end should envisage possibility that Shanghai may not be available as a place of refuge, or even of transshipment.
- (2)
- Please keep the Legation fully informed as to plans and progress of evacuation.”
2. Above repeated to Admiral Williams with this additional paragraph:
“In connection with second sentence of above quotation may I enquire regarding feasibility of arranging a concentration point for evacuation of Americans other than Shanghai?”
3. I have repeated to American consul at Nanking my radiogram to the commander in chief, United States Asiatic Fleet, and have asked Davis to inform me by telegraph regarding feasibility of Nanking as concentration point.