125.857/1–2749: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot)
177. Dept appreciative recommendation made urtel 276, Jan 27, concurs ur opinion staff should be reduced. Dept doubts, however, situation Shanghai will develop along lines parallel to Mukden and believes any event large American colony remaining Shanghai may make increased demands ConGen services for protection and representation with local authorities.
ConGen already has wide discretionary authority re evacuation staff members in extremis. As staff reduction contemplated not in nature such evacuation, individual transfers and Travel Orders would be required enable personnel proceed fill vacancies elsewhere. Suggest therefore ConGen submit earliest names persons recommended be transferred for Dept’s consideration and action.
Recent developments north China have not altered Dept’s opinion expressed Deptels 2004 Nov 2329 and 2078 Dec 230 that mass evacuation American citizens from Shanghai not necessary from standpoint safety individuals nor desirable from standpoint best interests US. You should therefore keep in mind when recommending drastic staff reduction effect such movement would have on Amer community Shanghai as well as assurances which have been given that in any unforeseen evacuation in extremis US business and missionary personnel would be accorded same facilities as official personnel. If decided staff be reduced, you should also be prepared emphasize in discussions with representatives Amer community that staff reduction occasioned solely by anticipated decrease in workload and that remaining staff will be adequate look after interests and extend all feasible protection Amer citizens remaining Shanghai.
- See footnote 68, Foreign Relations, 1948, vol. viii, p. 892.↩
- ibid., p. 907.↩