Extract From Radio Bulletin No. 239 Issued by the Department of State on October 8, 1940
State Department Press Conference.… In reply to inquiries, correspondents had earlier in the morning been informed that in view of the abnormal situation continuing in the Far East, the Department, as it had done heretofore in the Far East and in different parts of Europe, was taking precautionary steps for the safety of American citizens by suggesting that especially women and children, and men who are not detained by essential or urgent considerations, consider coming out of various disturbed areas. It was explained that American consular officials were pointing out to American citizens the advisability of utilizing transportation facilities which are now available, and that the Consuls had been asked to inform the Department of the numbers of Americans who were coming out or considering coming out. It was pointed out that this was a continuation of the policy inaugurated in regard to the Far East in 1937 and in regard to Europe last year. It was explained that it applied to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Indochina, Manchuria, the Kwantung Leased Territory, Korea and Formosa.…