893.48/12–348: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 3—1 p.m.]
2637. Question has naturally arisen what assistance in evacuation we will give to certain prominent Chinese closely identified with [Page 914] American activities in Shanghai. Two cases in point are Woo Kya Tang, editor of the Shanghai Post, whose trenchant editorials have trodden on a good many toes, and Dr. Henry Lin, president of Shanghai University, who is I believe more worried because of his connections with British than because of those with Americans. Other important cases will certainly arise.
I am extremely hesitant to recommend any help in such cases since Navy already has its hands full evacuating Americans and has decided it cannot help other foreign communities even in emergency. Nevertheless, both for humanitarian reasons and for our own interests I feel that we might come to conclusion that we should do something for such cases as those mentioned above.
I would appreciate Department’s views on this delicate question. Should Department feel any positive assistance desirable, numbers receiving it must be severely limited.
Sent Dept 2637, repeated Nanking 1990.