393.11/2148a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
210. At the press conference on June 18, in response to request for confirmation of report that the Japanese military authorities had asked Americans to leave Chungking, the Secretary said that he had nothing more in substance than what he said recently (see Department’s telegram no. 206, June 15, 5 p.m.81) concerning what often happens when military forces are advancing, that is, to send out notice to the general public located in the area through which the military forces are advancing and the public exercises its judgment as to what it does. The Secretary said also that we notify Americans located in such places of possible danger. The Secretary added that naturally the provisions of international law which hold any person or collection of persons operating in the military area responsible for injuries apply in any case.
- Not printed.↩