393.1115/7–2349: Telegram
The Minister-Counselor of Embassy in China (Clark) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 23—9:35 a. m.]
Cantel 810. Concur text statement warning American citizens [(]telCan 475, July 21, repeated Nanking 863, Shanghai 1447, Chungking 52, Hong Kong 625, Kunming 51), and suggest following procedures: Consular offices Chungking, Kunming, Canton should notify by telegraph, as Department suggests, principal American missions in remoter areas and follow up by sending covering letter saying Embassy has directed warning, text of which is enclosed, be brought to attention all American citizens. Text can be changed mutatis mutandis fit situation Chungking, Kunming districts.
In addition to information regarding reaching Hong Kong, Consuls could add in covering letter that, although hotel accommodations in Hong Kong are difficult to acquire, US naval vessels are in port there and will accommodate at cost, and under usual restrictions to billeting civilians aboard naval craft, any Americans certified to naval authorities by the Consul General in Hong Kong as being unable secure hotel accommodations while awaiting onward transportation. Normal surface and air transportation from Hong Kong to other parts of the world is still not fully booked but should demand exceed space available, US naval authorities are prepared to assist in evacuating Americans from Hong Kong to either Manila or Japan at normal commercial rate.
Unless instructed to contrary, therefore, Consuls Chungking, Kunming, Canton will telegraph principal American missions remoter areas and mail letters [to] individuals in consular districts Tuesday afternoon, July 26, releasing to press text warning for publication China morning papers July 27, which means release US papers afternoon July 26.
Sent Department Cantel 810, repeated Nanking 537, Shanghai 455, Chungking 37, Kunming 9, Hong Kong by pouch 23.