125.0093/411c: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
266. Reference your telegram No. 694, September 21, noon. The Department is glad to have the benefit of this statement.
The Department is preparing a circular instruction for the assistance of diplomatic and consular officers in connection with temporary closings under conditions of imminent danger of diplomatic and consular establishments.
Meanwhile, Department suggests that you prepare and send to consulates at offices in China at which the question of possible emergency closing may arise a brief instruction indicating that, if and when such a situation arises, the chiefs of office should follow a line of procedure somewhat as follows: Consult with and ascertain what are the views and intentions of their colleagues; if possible, report the situation to and ascertain the views of the Embassy; send out at the earliest possible moment their own dependents and those of members of their staffs; urge all American nationals to leave; when they themselves decide to leave, file with the local authorities a statement of their reasons for withdrawing, and, in circumstances where the filing of a protest with authorities of the country responsible for the situation which makes withdrawal necessary would be practicable, take that action; in withdrawing, plan to remove to a nearby point of safety; [Page 358] make arrangements for maintaining as far as practicable contact with the officials at the point from which they withdraw; proceed on the expectation of returning promptly when imminent danger no longer exists; report promptly and fully to the Department all circumstances, action taken, and plans made.