124.93/358: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:03 p.m.]
694. Reference Department’s 251, September 20, 10 a.m. and my 693, September 20.56 I appreciate the authority given me to decide upon precautionary measures for the Embassy. Paralleling this discretion I desire to explain the motives which guide me. The Department’s instructions and the published statements of responsible American officials lead me to think that our Government has two principal objectives. The first is to ensure the safety of American citizens. The second is to avoid any situation which might involve the United States in the present conflict. The Embassy has urged on American citizens the policy of withdrawal from China to a point which has elicited protests from them that the danger does not justify withdrawal and that withdrawal means unwarranted abandonment of the rights and responsibilities of American citizens. To avoid possibility of injury to myself and my staff as a result of hostile operations which might place a strain on the relations of the United States with China or Japan, I decided on receipt of the warning of the Japanese Commander-in-Chief of the 19th to withdraw with my staff to an American naval vessel. This I did in spite of extreme reluctance to forego my right to continuous and immediate contact with the Chinese Government and to perform without interference my important duties. My withdrawal from the Embassy premises has aroused the scarcely veiled resentment of the Chinese and the open disapproval of some of our citizens. The reply sent by the British Chargé d’Affaires to the warning of the Japanese Commander-in-Chief was that he would remain at his post and would hold Japanese authorities responsible for any injury inflicted by them on the Embassy. The wording of the Japanese warning communicated September 19, noon, warranted the inference that the Diplomatic Missions would be granted at least the short period before September 21, noon in which to comply with the warning and withdraw in safety. On the contrary an air craft raid unprecedented in wide extent and length of time began at 10 in the morning of the one day allowed for withdrawal and was not ended until 1 in the afternoon. The warning was thus deprived of any character of courtesy and good will which otherwise it might have had. It is my present intention not to go to Wuhu but to remain in Nanking [Page 348] waters. Admiral Marquart willingly concurs in this plan and as opportunity presents will bring the vessel back to the harbor to permit of telephone contact with Paxton. I do not intend however to follow this course independently and after a reasonable time and when circumstances render it possible I propose to return with my staff to the Embassy premises and resume my usual relations with the Chinese Government.
Repeated to Peiping and Shanghai for information and repetition to the Commander-in-Chief.