811.3393/12–1748: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 17—2:31 a.m.]
2805. In press conference held jointly with Admiral Crawford December 15 with concurrence of Embassy, I informed press that Navy transport Bayfield would arrive Shanghai December 16 with two infantry companies of Marines plus a support and service group totaling 695 officers and men.
I emphasized that their purpose in coming was to protect American citizens in event of emergency and that they were not coming to maintain public order, to reestablish an international settlement or in connection with any other scheme of international action in Shanghai. Said that they were coming with the knowledge and consent of the Chinese authorities both national and municipal and that they would fully respect Chinese sovereignty. Added that men would remain aboard ship, would not be billeted ashore although there would be usual liberty parties and shore patrols and would not be here any longer than emergency required and stressed that no plans existed to bring further Marine contingents to Shanghai.
Admiral Crawford then gave some background data on the Marine contingent being sent to Shanghai. In answer to questions, I said that Admiral Crawford and I had been designated to determine what constituted an emergency requiring evacuation of American citizens. I added that Marines were coming primarily to protect lives of 2,000 Americans still in Shanghai in event an emergency evacuation became necessary and that it would depend on circumstances and their wishes whether they would in due course return to their homes or [be] removed from Shanghai areas.
[Page 940]Answering another question, I said their arrival this week has no significance. Asked if Marines would cooperate with the projected Shanghai Defense Corps, both Admiral Crawford and I replied with an emphatic “no”. With regard to our evacuation policy I said there was no difference between plans discussed today and those Admiral Badger outlined on Friday. We still felt that it was advisable for nonessential Americans to leave Shanghai. With regard to other Americans, they must weigh risks involved in staying here against duties, responsibilities and importance of job they are doing here and reach decision themselves as to whether they should stay or not.
English language newspapers contained fairly full accounts of conference. While each omitted certain important points none has serious misquotations of our statements. Conference also prominently reported in Chinese press.
Sent Nanking 2107, repeated Department 2805.