393.1115/875: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 16—9:15 a.m.]
377. Embassy’s 375, September 16, 11 a.m.,34 evacuation of Americans from Hankow. The following telegram has been sent to Shanghai:
“September 16, 5 p.m., our September 16, 11 a.m. The Foreign Office informs us that the Navy Department has agreed to take no action against trains leaving Hankow with American refugees on September 20, 22 and 24, but that such undertaking will not hold with [Page 331] regard to operations which may be contemplated at any point between Canton and Hankow after midnight of the 24th. The Foreign Office suggests, therefore, that in view of probable delays in departure from Hankow and en route all Americans planning to leave on the 24th make arrangements to leave Hankow on the September 22 train.
2. The Navy Department undertaking is not contingent upon having information with regard to exact time of departure of trains from Hankow. The Foreign Office believes, however, that such information would be helpful.
Please rush relay to Hankow.[”]
Repeated to Department.
- Not printed.↩