393.1115/196: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—11:20 a.m.]
489. Department’s 166, August 20, 2 p.m. The following telegraphic instruction has been sent to Tsinanfu August 25, noon:
“The following instructions are intended specifically for Tsinanfu. You should send a final warning to all American citizens in your district, advising them to proceed at once to Tsingtao or such other place of concentration as you may consider easiest and safest and stating that your office will shortly be closed. When you feel that you have done everything reasonably possible to effect withdrawal of Americans in your district, you should close your office, turning custody thereof over to Chinese authorities, and proceed to Tsingtao, with those members of your Chinese staff who wish to accompany you to that place.”