390.1115A/430a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Singapore ( Patton )

15. 1. The Department has given careful consideration to the replies received from Singapore, Rangoon and Batavia to its strictly confidential telegram of February 20, 4 p.m. Department has decided for the time being not to extend to British Malaya, Burma and the Netherlands East Indies its policy in regard to withdrawal of certain categories of American citizens. The Department expects that the officers will keep the Department informed of pertinent local developments which might have bearing on this question.

2. Meanwhile, should American nationals approach the officers in the three areas in question for advice in regard to the question of their withdrawing to the United States, the Department desires that the officers inform them that in the light of the general world situation and the uncertainties therein, they may desire on their own initiative and as a result of their own decision to take steps to return to the safety of the United States. The Department desires further that the officers in taking action under this instruction do so in a manner to avoid publicity.

3. For your information, the Department has decided to extend to British Malaya, Burma and the Netherlands East Indies its policy, now applied to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Indochina and Thailand, of withholding in the United States the granting of passport facilities to American citizens of certain categories desiring to travel to the three areas first named. This applies especially to women and children and men whose travel to or presence in the areas in question is not considered urgent and essential. Applications for passport facilities for travel to those areas made to officers abroad should be given consideration in the light of and along the lines of the Department’s practice in regard to such applications, doubtful cases being referred to the Department for consideration.

4. This instruction is being sent to Singapore (for repetition to Penang), to Rangoon, and to Batavia (for repetition to Surabaya and Medan).

Welles