393.1115/3354: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 7—7 a.m.]
341. Department’s 196, July 5, 6 p.m. There are at the present time some 10 American citizens in the city of Kiukiang and some 50 American citizens at Kuling. These Americans have been warned to evacuate but will remain there, some to perform duties connected with their work as missionaries or owners of property, others for reasons of health or because they have no other place to which they may go. In any case evacuation now would be impossible except into the interior as transportation by river is now cut off because of mine field between here and Kiukiang now being laid. It has been and is the intention of the commander of the Yangtze Patrol to leave Monocacy at Kiukiang with orders to move away from areas of actual fighting at discretion of commanding officer whose announced intention is to [Page 395] move ship some 3 miles above Kiukiang. Chinese and Japanese authorities will be constantly informed of whereabouts of Monocacy. I feel that Monocacy can and will perform needed service to American interests in and near Kiukiang at this time. Above sent after consultation with commander of Yangtze Patrol. May I add that Americans involved are not casuals but persons with interests and property. The danger to them will or should be no greater than that which has threatened Americans at other places during these hostilities.