393.11/2148: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 19—5:18 a.m.]
270. Department’s telegram 96, June 17, 6 p.m. All Americans who have had contact with Embassy have been orally informed of information contained in Japanese notification. Insofar as Embassy is informed Americans have found living places on south bank. Those that remain presumably have business in the city which they cannot desert and have access to dugouts. Embassy is investigating their number. I hesitate to notify all Americans formally or publicly of Japanese statement lest it be interpreted locally as a public abandonment of our position. Americans, especially newspaper correspondents, with whom we have talked approve this action. The terms of the Japanese warning have been so extensively published that no American has been ignorant of the situation. Unless specifically instructed to act otherwise I propose to let matter stand, informing any American who may apply for information of the facts as instructed by the Department and offering shelter here to those that may desire it.