893.00/13822: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 23—7:15 a.m.]
374. Hankow’s December 22, 5 p.m., paragraph 3. Investigations thus far made by the Embassy have not shown that it would be possible to obtain permission to send airplanes to Sian and other affected areas, because there would be no assurance that they would not be detained by the local forces. Moreover, the question of expense probably about 2000 dollars Chinese currency per diem would have to be met.
The Embassy is giving urgent attention to the matter of safety of American citizens. It desires to have all possible information and will welcome any helpful suggestions.
Repeated to Peiping, Hankow, Shanghai.