393.1115/11–1148: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 11—6:08 a.m.]
2386. I have today conferred with representatives of Pan American and Northwest Airlines and of American President and US Lines. We are agreed that sufficient people desire immediate evacuation to fill at least one passenger ship sent emergency basis. I recommend Department give urgent consideration to sending such a ship to Shanghai. I do not know whether this can be done in view of west coast shipping strike but feel due to emergency special arrangements might be made or alternatively a ship might be sent from east coast.
Failing such arrangements and in view of pertinent deterioration of military and political conditions, I believe that consideration should be given to orderly intermediate evacuation to points in Japan or other neighboring safe points. Pan American and Northwest representatives indicated they believed their companies would cooperate in running a shuttle service to such points.
Airlines point out there is insufficient gasoline in Shanghai to handie [Page 878] an emergency evacuation. I believe this should be immediately remedied.
Failing measures such as those outlined above, I am afraid of a stampede if and when it becomes evident Shanghai is going to change hands. Under best of circumstances, an emergency evacuation would cause serious hardships and losses; and I feel it important to get as many people as possible away in an orderly fashion.
Repeated Nanking 1805.