390.1115A/383: Telegram
The Minister in Thailand (Grant) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 28—10:40 a.m.]
110. Department’s telegram No. 29, February 20, 4 p.m. I desire to inform the Department that the day following the receipt of the above instructions the Legation sent the first lot of letters addressed to American citizens suggesting that women and children and men whose presence in Thailand is not highly essential consider returning home. All of the letters were forwarded by Monday February 24.
Because of the peculiar existing situations here as a result of the publicity regarding the recent evacuation instructions to the British and rumors of American evacuation I regarded it as impracticable to attempt to keep the matter a secret from the press as suggested in the Department’s instruction and, with a view to avoiding unfavorable publicity and distortion, I therefore gave a short statement of facts to the press and to the Foreign Office.
Frankly I fear that the majority of Americans within the categories specified will not follow instructions and will remain here until they receive an order or a strong warning. I have already had echoes to this effect from representatives of the missionary groups who it appears follow the advice of their boards in America and are reluctant to cut their ties in Thailand where some of them have spent many years.
It is my opinion that if real dangers actually exist in the Far East which appears to be the case a strong warning should be issued to these people and they should be urged to leave as soon as possible and further in view of the isolated situation here and lack of American [Page 409] transportation facilities some assistance should be rendered by our Government in the matter of providing such facilities when practicable through a call of one American ship at a nearby port.