811.3393/4–2349: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 23—8:10 a. m.]
1316. ConGentels 1295, April 21, 1309 and 1310, April 22, and Admiral Badger’s ComNavWesPac 221715Z.65 As latter reftel shows [Page 1246] Admiral Badger has reached decision to withdraw heavy naval units from Whangpoo to lower Yangtze as soon as Commies are across Yangtze in force, he has promised me 24 hours’ notice before actual withdrawal and plans to maintain contact with Shanghai as long as possible by light craft. He has urged me in view of previous assurances given American community to inform them of Navy’s revised plans immediately. I have declined to do so until either instructed by Department or given 24-hour notice in view of international implications this would entail as explained in my previous reftels. Last sentence of my warning to American community issued today (ConGentel 1315) was, however, partly designed to soften blow to community when announcement of Navy’s intended withdrawal made.
I have informed my British and French colleagues that we are considering implications of Yangtze incidents on retention of our ships in Whangpoo. They inform me they also have given thought to problem but no decision yet reached re their ships. They agree desirability acting in concert re ships. They do not at moment plan to issue evacuation warnings.
Consular Corps is meeting at 6:30 tonight.
HMS London was badly mauled by Commie batteries with three or four turrets out of action and 2 months’ repairs required. Admiral Madden in command states London’s return fire ineffective against well-concealed Commie batteries.
Would appreciate most urgent instructions as to what announcement, if any, I am to make re Navy’s plans.
We are reactivating evacuation units Monday. At moment President Wilson sailing 27th is fully booked but emergency space on board possibly available. Am investigating possibility of using General Gordon. Airlines still not fully booked. Navy will use hospital ship Repose now off Woosung if necessary as temporary haven until other transportation available.
Sent Department, repeated Nanking.
- Telegram No. 221715Z not found in Department of State files.↩