393.1115/2305: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Sokobin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
With further reference to my telegram of December 22, 6 p.m.,48 I have the honor to report that the Captain of the Marblehead in his [Page 408] telegram of December 21 to the Commander-in-Chief informed him as follows:
“Although no more military reason can be seen now than heretofore for Japanese capture, American Consul urging and listing evacuees and requests information about vessels for transportation. Have informed him that if actually in danger we would take our nationals but that I had no authority to run passenger service otherwise. Please advise your interpretation message mentioned.” (Department’s telegram of December 20, 3 p.m.)
The Department will appreciate that although the Consulate is endeavoring to evacuate Americans in accordance with Department’s instructions, the Department will note from the Captain’s message to the Commander-in-Chief that certain practical difficulties appear to stand in the way, i. e., the fact that naval authorities do not consider that American nationals are actually “in danger” at this time. Consulate can also appreciate position of naval authorities with regard to use of naval vessels for “passage service” when local Americans are so undecided from one moment to the next as to course of action they wish to take. The decision of Americans to evacuate is directly dependent upon state of tranquillity at any given time.
Sent to the Department, Embassies, Shanghai.
- Not printed.↩