393.1115/12–1748: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 17—8:51 a.m.]
2809. Deptel 2191, December 15. Navy has furnished us copy of Department’s letter December 10 to Secretary of Navy. Navy emergency evacuation plans with which I agreed envisaged protection following American properties. 1, Shanghai Power Company, main installation AFL [and?] 3 substations. 2, Shanghai Telephone, 6 substations. 3, Caltex and Standard-Vacuum installations. Protection of first two highly desirable to facilitate orderly evacuation and of third to protect city from grave results which would follow if oil were fired and poured into swift tides of river. British have urged protection of utilities pointing out that this is in interest of entire city and plan themselves to protect British-owned waterworks, gas company and Shell installations. I have agreed primarily for other reasons given above. All inland points mentioned above will be held by a handful of Marines.
Navy agrees and we have publicly stated that action envisaged only during emergency; guards will be withdrawn immediately upon establishment of any de facto authority.
Copy of message furnished Admiral Crawford and forwarded to Admiral Badger. Sent Department 2809, repeated Nanking 2110.