893.00/7–1149: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 11—8:46 a. m.]
2693. ReDeptel 1373, regret I did not make clear in mytel 2642 that I was referring to what was said Shanghai rather than US.
File copies of pertinent telegrams have been evacuated, but if I recall correctly Department expressed concern at message in which I said top employees of Shanghai Power Company wished be guaranteed last minute evacuation, and said that evacuation orders did not contemplate evacuation personnel essential for maintenance vital American activities in Shanghai area. While Consul General gave no specific guarantees beyond those fulfilled when Navy withdrew, and no positive encouragement, impression created by what Consul General said was naturally that key personnel should remain.
Re preference in repatriation, fact that key personnel were promised identical consideration with Consulate General staff, in repatriation arrangements, suggests strongly (and properly) that such key personnel would get preferential treatment in repatriation over those who might remain Shanghai despite lack of compelling reason for so doing. We used this point quietly but effectively to get out numerous families and other persons whose presence here now would merely complicate situation.
I trust my understanding of Department’s position was correct and am sorry my statements required it to reply. My thought was merely that we were now confronted with a situation in which we must think primarily in terms of safety of American citizens and the avoidance of incidents which might exacerbate international situation, rather than in terms of maintenance of American activities which in all too many cases are being fast driven to wall in any case.
Sent Department 2693, repeated Nanking 1508.