Office of the Historian

393.0015/95: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Vice Consul at Hankow (Davies), Aboard the U.S.S. “Oahu” at Kiukiang

Washington, February 13, 1939—7 p.m.

Your February 10, 1 p.m. This Government could not consider as binding any time limit set by the Japanese upon the withdrawal of Americans from Kuling and, as you have indicated, obligation rests upon the Japanese military authorities, irrespective of whether American nationals do or do not withdraw in response to notice given by the Japanese authorities placing a time limit upon withdrawal, to avoid injury to American lives and property at Kuling.

Repeated to Chungking, Shanghai, Peiping, and Hankow.

Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.

Hull