393.11/490: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 25—4:40 p.m.]
Your March 24, 11 a.m. First two shiploads of refugees from Nanking arrive here tomorrow. Nanking consul reports that many are destitute and will require assistance. Reports from Hankow and elsewhere in Yangtze Valley state that rapid evacuation to Shanghai is taking place. This creates emergency situation with several hundred Americans in actual want and needing food and shelter, who have no present means of succor. For this purpose I urge appropriation of $10,000 to be used under the supervision of consulate general by civilian committee already cooperating with me, reimbursement being expected where possible. In view of increasingly difficult housing problem within defense lines at Shanghai I recommend desirability of the Department suggesting to mission boards that their missionaries from other places do not remain at Shanghai but return to the United States as rapidly as accommodations offer.
Please reply as soon as possible.