893.48/1196a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)

374. Reference various telegrams and press reports indicating need at Shanghai of medical supplies and related equipment. Could you indicate confidentially for Department’s information and consideration what assistance this Government might render, by Department’s enlisting cooperation of Red Cross, Navy and Army, toward facilitating prompt receipt by American agencies at Shanghai of materials which may be most urgently needed and most difficult to obtain for prevention of disease, caring for sick and injured refugees, etc.

In making this inquiry, Department has in mind possible supplementing by American governmental agencies of efforts of the local American committee to obtain such supplies but not large-scale contribution toward general relief work.

An early reply even though not complete would be most helpful.

Hull