393.1115/10–2748: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 27—7:35 a.m.]
307. During past few days many Americans have asked for our views on evacuation and we have answered inquiries orally by warning envisaged in accordance Embtel 1985, October 24 to Department, repeated Tientsin 177. Many Americans here aware, from reports of travelers from Peiping, that AAG is leaving (Peiping’s 584, October 26 to Embassy, 387 to Department). Local Chinese press today carried under Nanking dateline report that Americans in Tientsin and Peiping will be evacuated.
Americans here generally awaiting some formal warning before taking action. I, therefore, recommend that, in fairness to Americans, formal warning should not be too long delayed.
Sent Nanking 550, repeated Department 307, Shanghai 519 and Peiping.