840.48 Refugees/1–3049: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai ( Cabot ) to the Secretary of State

305. ReEmbtel 268, 29th, to Department, repeated Shanghai 119, Manila 14. Consulate General regrets it was not informed until January 29 of plan for return of dependents Nanking. It does not feel any dependents should return here although obviously cannot prevent their returning if they want.

In addition political implications mentioned reference telegram, move will constitute embarrassing evidence vacillation from original policy without significant change of conditions which prompted move to Manila, it invites serious administrative and morale complications here. Quite apart from danger of violence during take-over of Shanghai, Consul General considers it unwise to subject families unnecessarily to possibilities disagreeable experience at hands unrecognized and vengeful regime.

Repeated Nanking 238, Manila 18.

Nanking pass ALUSNA,23 MilAt.24

Cabot
  1. Office of Naval Attaché.
  2. Military Attaché.