303.1115/3290: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:30 p.m.]
300. Supplementing my 292, June 15, 10 [11] a.m., I submit following as evidence of efforts on the part of Consulate General here to comply with the Department’s instructions regarding evacuation of American citizens.
In late summer of 1937 there were present in Hankow Consular District approximately 1,200 American residents, and in addition several hundred American summer visitors at the 2 summer resorts. Circulars were sent out during the period from August to December advising evacuation. By the end of 1937,430 Americans had left this area by train for Hong Kong. Others left by air or by other routes overland.
During this same period, orientals, [some?] others came into this area as refugees from north of the Yellow River or from Shanghai, and some are still here hoping that conditions will permit them to return to their work.
When hostilities started along the Lunghai the Consulate General at Hankow in January and February repeated advice previously given to Americans in Honan, Hupeh, Anhui and Shansi. On June 7th the Consul General called a meeting of the heads of American business and missionary organizations in Hankow and strongly urged that women and children and men who could be spared should evacuate while transportation was available. This advice was supplemented by a circular instruction addressed to Americans in Hankow, Wuchang and Hanyang on June 9. Upon the receipt of instructions to the Embassy No. 176, June 13, 7 p.m., the Consulate General, on the advice of the Embassy, issued a telegraphic warning on June 13 through the U. S. S. Monocacy at Kiukiang to Americans at Kiukiang and Killing. This was supplemented by a circular instruction.
Since January 1, 1938 an additional 490 Americans have left this area by train for Hong Kong, making total recorded evacuation of 920. Some have returned for various reasons, and at present there are about 825 in the Hankow Consular District. The American community—both business and missionary, has sent away by far the greater part of its nonessential members, and those who remain believe that it is vitally necessary that they stay in order to preserve their interests. These are Americans who are not transients, but permanent residents engaged in business, missionary or medical work. There are a few in Kuling who have retired to that hill resort for age or physical reasons and who cannot or do not intend to leave. [Page 362] American doctors, nurses and missionaries at Kiukiang and Wuhu and other places will remain at their [posts], not only to preserve their interests, but also to carry on, at a time when their services are most needed, the work for which they have come to China. It has been amply demonstrated in other areas in China that the only means by which Americans may hope to retain their property and other interests is by being present during the period of turnover. They realize risks involved. Consulate General and naval vessels at Hankow must of course remain here, for it is believed that they will be safer here than at some place up river completely out of touch.