393.1115/359: Telegram
The Commander in Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet (Yarnell) to the Chief of Naval Operations (Leahy)85
[Received 9:40 p.m.]
0028. Situation in respect to evacuation our nationals is as follows: Shanghai about 2000 remaining mostly men, about 200 desire return United States. These will be accommodated McKinley and Hoover sailing end this month. Those remaining are in the main men whose business is here and no considerable number there will leave unless conditions get much worse. If arrangements can be made for Dollar vessels stop Shanghai evacuation from this port will present no problem. Yangtze Valley there are about 1400 located as follows: [Page 293] Kuling 400, Chikungshan 300, Hankow 150, with remainder in numerous and widely scattered points, total including large number missionaries very difficult determine number desiring return United States, estimate 400. Ambassador advising evacuation. However, do not believe any large exodus from Yangtze Valley will take place under present conditions. Still practicable leave via Hankow-Canton Railway. However, this railway will probably be subjected bombing attacks, continued operation uncertain. Endeavoring arrange open lower Yangtze for passage merchant vessels purpose evacuation. Outlook not promising. Socony-Vacuum has offered services their steamers for this purpose. Peiping, Tientsin, Peitaho are about 2000. Our nationals this area in no immediate danger. Transportation is available via Korea and Japan. Chefoo about 650 of which 450 are dependents naval personnel 200 desire return United States. Tsingtao about 1000 of which 500 are dependents naval personnel, total 200 desire return United States. South China including Hangchow, Foochow, Amoy, Swatow, Canton, and Ningpo 720. No information as to number who desire return United States. Our nationals this area in no immediate danger. At present no commercial transportation between Shanghai and North China ports is available. Due war risk insurance restricting movement vessels naval vessels will probably be required evacuate our nationals especially from Shanghai and North China ports. Naval vessels available are inadequate and unsuitable except for short distances. Consider risk involved to merchant vessels in making Shanghai port of call very small. It is recommended that all Dollar vessels be required touch at Shanghai the Government, if necessary assuming whatever risk involved. If Dollar vessels are not allowed to make Shanghai a port of call the problem of evacuation our nationals will become very much more complicated.
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Navy Department.↩