390.1115A/358: Telegram
The Consul at Rangoon ( Brady ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 23—12:32 p.m.]
Reference the Department’s telegram of February 20, 4 p.m. Any published advice to Americans to leave this area would attract the maximum of attention and would be regarded as emphasizing the serious view taken in official circles but if stressed as a purely precautionary measure of a general nature that did not imply fear of imminent physical danger to American citizens the effect probably would not be seriously disturbing. The Burma Legislature is now in session and it is conceivable that some Burmese members might attempt to make anti-British capital out of such action by pointing to it as added evidence of the probability of Burma being involved in war allegedly without the consent of Burmans generally but that in itself would not be likely to prejudice the general political situation. The authorities here have not taken the public into their confidence as to possible dangers or preparations to meet them, the chief reason given being the desire to guard against panic here and because of this attitude they might view with misgiving a suggestion for the withdrawal of American nationals. In connection with the attitude mentioned the leading British daily this week referred to reports and rumors having reached a peak and said that under such circumstances anxiety was best allayed by discussions of possibilities and measures to cope with them.
[Page 407]It would be extremely difficult for any large number of Americans to leave here unless there was assistance in providing shipping facilities.