393.11/2115a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Canton (Linnell)
Washington, October 18,
1938—noon.
- 1.
- Department desires to receive promptly by telegram a brief outline of the plans which you, in collaboration with our naval authorities, [Page 500] have made for (a) the concentration of those Americans now remaining at Canton, and (b) their withdrawal as opportunity offers to places of greater safety.
- 2.
- With reference to your October 17, 3 p.m.,18 Department assumes that in your opinion a route of egress via Shekkei and Macao is practicable and that you believe that withdrawal is safer than concentration at some point in Canton. You are of course keeping in mind the question of taking appropriate precautionary measures such as notification to the Chinese authorities and, through the Japanese Consulate General at Hong Kong, to the Japanese military authorities. You will also bear in mind the question of giving notices to the Japanese naval authorities in south China and possibly at Shanghai. It is suggested that in such notifications mention be made of the number of Americans withdrawing from Canton, the number and type and distinctive markings of conveyances used, the route of travel, the hour of departure and, if possible, expected times of arrival at various points en route. Before withdrawal is attempted effort should be made, if practicable, to obtain the cooperation of the Chinese and Japanese authorities concerned.
The Ambassador is authorized in his discretion and in the light of your subsequent reports to refer matters affecting the withdrawal or safety of Americans to Tokyo for presentation by the Embassy to the Japanese Government.
Please repeat to Chungking for the information and guidance of the Ambassador.
Hull
- Not printed.↩