393.1115/11–1648: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:42 p.m.]
2424. ReEmbscirtel November 14, 1 p.m.61 Warning to Americans issued as directed. We have already requested Americans to report by Thursday whether they wish to be evacuated by transport and reiterated this request in notice today.
An evacuation unit has been set up to handle evacuation problems. This has necessitated withdrawal of several officers and clerks from other sections and will curtail work done in those sections, notably commercial reporting. Citizenship unit has been reinforced.
Virtually all confidential files of Consulate have been transferred to Navy’s custody in Glenline Building, from where it should be possible to evacuate them to naval vessels even in extreme emergency. Would appreciate guidance re coding machines. If hostile turnover occurs here, should Consulate destroy these machines, seek to evacuate them or keep them in Consulate?
I assume Embcirtel November 14, 1 p.m. does not mean Consulate personnel is to leave Shanghai and that Consulate will carry on even if hostile turnover occurs.
Sent Nanking 1836, repeated Department 2424.