393.1115/242: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)
268. Reference Nanking 512, August 24, 6 p.m.74 from which Department notes that the Ambassador at Nanking has asked you to communicate a message to the Commander in Chief which involves the question of diverting a steamer to Tsingtao for the purpose of evacuating Americans now at that place.
The Department considers that only the most extreme emergency could justify the diversion of an American flag merchant ship to Tsingtao for the evacuation of Americans. In addition to the three vessels of the Dollar Line which have already been diverted under instructions from you and the Commander in Chief, it is believed no further American merchant ships should be diverted without previous communication with the Department except in extreme emergency. In case of every such diversion of a merchant ship arrangements must be made in Washington for the exemption from the necessity for marine war risk insurance which at the present high rates may run in the case of each vessel to several hundred thousand dollars.
The Department raises the question as to whether, in case the evacuation of Americans in Tsingtao or other points becomes necessary and merchant vessels calling there in the usual course should not be available, it would not be more advisable to have such evacuation carried through by American Naval vessels. Please discuss this with the Commander in Chief.
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