393.1115/12–1348: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—8:36 a.m.]
2750. Afternoon December 11, I attended conference on flagship Admiral Crawford at which he presented proposed revised plan for protection and evacuation if necessary of American Nationals. Revision made necessary by impending withdrawal JUSMAG. Revised plan approved as to Shanghai by me and will go into effect upon withdrawal JUSMAG.
New plan is less elaborate than former one and calls for use of one battalion Marines replacing JUSMAG forces; these Marines to be ship based. Precautions will be taken to avoid Marine embroilment in fighting.
Only 4 collection points established as follows: American school, Navy officer mess, New Development Building and Glenline Building. Emergency consular headquarters can be established in Glenline Building. Principal embarkation point is Naval Annex which is only such point to be defended. Three secondary embarkation points designated. American evacuees will be concentrated in ships until returned ashore or transferred to evacuation ships. Those alien relatives of American citizens and key alien employees of established American organizations placed in second preference category. Navy will provide immediate transportation from collection points to embarkation [Page 934] points and will assist officers of Consulate General in processing arrivals for eligibility at collection and embarkation points.
Light Marine guards to be provided during emergency for American utility and petroleum installations important to success of plan. Consulate General, as Ambassador’s designated Shanghai representative, will have local authority in concert with Commander Task Force 78 to declare state of emergency. Consul General also will have sole power to designate alien nationals entitled to preferential status. Foreign nationals may be concentrated at Naval Annex rather than on board ships in discretion commanding officer. Facilities will be established in Naval Annex adequate to billet and feed 3500 evacuees. Commander Task Force 78 will establish headquarters Shanghai and will command operations. Commander naval port facilities Shanghai will be responsible for logistic support Task Force 78 elements ashore and evacuees.
Navy has agreed to organization of American community to insure immediate and complete dissemination of notice of emergency state and mutual assistance in reaching collection points. Location of these points will be revealed to American citizens with request that information not be disclosed to anyone outside of American community. Consulate General is working on restricted circular notice to American community and will convene civilian committee this afternoon to advise on civilian participation and alien priority list.
Sent Department 2750, repeated Nanking 2063.