393.11/1433: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 15—6:15 a.m.]
51. In view of the possibility that increased Japanese landing forces at or near Shanghai may cause a retreat of Chinese forces to the west and north of their present positions I have this morning advised Americans at Soochow, Wusih, Changchow and Changshu to withdraw [Page 332] to places of greater safety preferably Shanghai. Advice was telephoned to Soochow to be relayed to other places by telephone or telegraph. Yesterday I telegraphed to Kiangyin advising that American women and children leave.
Repeated to the Legation and Nanking.