393.1115/5089: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Myers) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4—4:43 p.m.]
93. Reference my 86, November 14, 5 p.m.,66 concerning Hainan missionaries. The ship referred to in my telegram arrived here on December 2 without any Americans on board.
This afternoon I called on the Japanese Consul General in regard to this matter and was informed that some days ago the Hainan military had withdrawn the permission previously given to certain Americans to depart by the next sailing on the grounds of military necessity and that the ship carried but one Japanese passenger. I protested against this apparent detention of Americans desiring to leave and requested that steps be taken to effect their departure at an early date. The Consul General promised to refer the matter to Tokyo immediately.
One member of the mission has been trying to leave for at least 2 months and in addition to the Melroses it is probable that [apparent omission] missionaries, particularly women (the Presbyterian China Council at Shanghai has advised all American women to evacuate Hainan), may wish also to leave.
In view of the attitude that the Hainan military authorities have thus far exhibited it is believed that strict instructions from Tokyo will be needed to insure the departure of the missionaries desiring to leave. It is possible that my Japanese colleague shares this view as [Page 449] he decided to refer the case to his Foreign Office rather than take it up through the Japanese Consul at Hoihow as was previously done.
This office will continue to do what it can and keep the Department informed of developments.
Sent to the Department, repeated to Chungking, Peiping. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.67