393.1115/8–1549: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Shanghai (McConaughy)37
1695. ConGentel 3241 Aug 15. Pls express orally to Am Chamber Commerce Shanghai Dept’s appreciation of memorandum, which will [Page 1317] be very helpful to Dept in making plans for repatriation of Amers wishing to leave Shanghai. Dept is warning firms and individuals to which it is transmitted against permitting any leaks and is confident businessmen in Shanghai will be equally careful, since any publicity wld have disastrous effect on delicate negotiations required to make arrangements for successful evacuation.
Dept has given very careful consideration to Chamber Commerce’s memos of July 31 and Aug 15, as its subsequent instructions show. Following detailed comment offered re July 31 memo:
- 1.
- Dept appreciates the difficulties facing Am business in Shanghai today and is, therefore, endeavoring render all appropriate assistance in facilitating evacuation Amers wishing leave China.
- 2
- and 3. Covered by White Paper letter of transmittal,38 which, together with VOA39 broadcast summary and comment, presumably available ConGen and leaders Amer community.
- 4.
- See Dept’s previous instructions to Canton, Taipei.
- 5.
- Dept did not urge those Amers to evacuate who felt they had compelling reasons to stay. However, it repeatedly stressed risks involved, made it clear that US wld not use force to protect or evacuate Amers who elected to stay, and emphasized that each individual must make his own decision whether to stay or go.
- 6.
- Numbered subheads. Dept fully aware difficulties enumerated. Am firms informed by distributing memo as requested, meeting held in Dept Aug 4, and meeting held with representatives of Nat. For. Trade Council, Far East America Council and Shanghai Chamber in New York by Cabot Aug 19. Dept feels that only basis for determining how real difficulties and dangers are is experience. This is one of main reasons it is pressing specific arrangements for evacuation facilities. What further steps can and should be undertaken can only be determined on this basis.
Re recommendations: (1) Covered above. (2) ConGen already informed of Dept attitude by previous instructions. (3) No new military aid program has been established for Nats. (4) Dept believes normal exit procedure required by Commies shld first be tried. It understands Intl Red Cross and UN no more recognized by Commies than any foreign govt and therefore feels this approach unpromising under present circumstances. (5) Facilities now envisaged will be available to other foreigners, whether employed by Am companies or not. (7) Amers in Nat territory have already received strong warning, Dept cannot legally go further.
[Page 1318]Following detailed comment offered re Aug 15 memo:
Dept will give all appropriate assistance arrange for evacuation facilities as required to meet demand for Amers wishing to leave Shanghai. As pointed out above experience alone will reveal practical difficulties involved and Dept can give no assurances re nature and continuance of any evacuation facilities.
Numbered point 1 answered above.
Point 2. Dept seeking to ascertain what cargo if any Nats will allow to pass blockade and hopes both Nat and Commie assent can be obtained to specific proposition. It is clearly desirable if not essential in view of many grave risks otherwise involved to have such assent from both parties. Dept can take no position regarding any facilities for Chinese.
Point 3. Covered by above and previous instructions.
Three questions also covered by previous instructions and preceding comments.
Dept cannot agree that Am businessmen “assured full support”. Dept has always ruled out armed intervention, pointed out means for protecting Am citizens likely to be limited and confined assurances of special support to oral statement that key Amers remaining in Shanghai wld be given identical consideration re evacuation and repatriation with Consulate staff.
Re Chamber’s comments re air evacuation, see Deptel 1631.40
Dept appreciates that pressure on Commie authorities for specific decisions may well be counter productive and therefore leaves it in your discretion how far to go in seeking to secure such decisions. ConGen will realize however that it is essential that Dept be kept promptly informed of every significant development as situation crystallizes in order that no chance may be lost to provide evacuation facilities at an early date for those Amers wishing to leave.
Shld any Amers seek your advice re evacuation you shld emphasize that each Amer must make his individual decision and that Dept and ConGen cannot give such advice.