394.1115/118: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in China (Butrick), at Peiping
198. Reference your recent confidential telegram.56 The Department considers it questionable whether renewed suggestions to American citizens to leave occupied China would greatly expedite or increase the departure of Americans at this time. The Department assumes that you and other officers in occupied China are continuing to inform American inquirers that the Department’s withdrawal policy remains in effect. Department does not, however, desire you to take a new initiative in the matter, and you should give no publicity to the [Page 439] present instruction. You and the other officers in occupied China should simply remind those persons who may inquire that there has been no change in this Government’s policy in regard to the withdrawal of certain categories of American citizens, as set forth in previous instructions.
The Department, of course, desires to be kept informed of developments affecting the safety of Americans in occupied China so that it may be in a position to take such action as developments may make necessary or desirable.
Repeat to Chungking and to all offices in occupied China.
- No. 303, October 13, noon, not printed.↩