393.1115/2160: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 11—4:33 p.m.]
1136. Reference Nanking’s 1019, December 9, 9 a.m., Japanese Consul General has acknowledged receipt of my letter communicating names and addresses of Americans remaining in Nanking and stated that he has transmitted the information to the Japanese Ambassador but adds that it is the earnest wish on the part of the Japanese forces that all foreigners still remaining in Nanking should stay away as much as possible from the zone of fighting by evacuating from the city without delay and “I am directed by my Ambassador to request you to be good enough to take steps to evacuate all your nationals from Nanking with a view to avoiding any of them becoming involved in the dangers of hostilities”.
Sent to Nanking. Repeated to Department, Hankow, and Peiping.