393.1115/574: Telegram
The Consul at Hankow (Josselyn) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 7—9:35 a.m.]
Embassy’s September 4, 4 p.m.9 In accordance with the Department’s instruction No. 201 [206], September 2, 6 p.m., I have issued circular dated September 6 to Americans in this Consular District as well as South Hopei and Shansi emphasizing that danger may increase and that existing opportunities for evacuation will not continue indefinitely. However, I must point out that the means of transportation for Americans in Central and West China [who] would ordinarily withdraw to the coast are already greatly diminished. The only means still remaining, aside from long and dangerous journeys overland, is the Canton–Hankow Railway which is vulnerable to attack from the air. In these circumstances I strongly believe the hazards incident to withdrawal as compared with the hazards of remaining should be carefully considered by individual Americans. I am informed the British Consul General is advising his nationals at present not to withdraw via Canton–Hankow Railway.
Sent to Nanking, repeated to the Department and Peiping.
- Not printed.↩