393.1115/10–1348: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)
1457. Dept assumes you will notify it as soon as you instruct Consulates to issue warning (your 1896, Oct 13) so that it will be in position to answer numerous inevitable press inquiries this regard. In informing Dept Emb should include text warning, specific reasons therefor and date and time of release. Dept also desires earliest info giving estimates ConGens Peiping Tientsin re probable percentage American residents who will act on formal warning to evacuate.
For Emb info, on receipt notification issuance formal warning evacuate north China, Dept will cease issuance passports to all persons proceeding that area other than Govt officials or in extraordinary cases.