793.94/9707: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
173. Your 317, August 26, 6 p.m. Consul at Tsingtao reports that evacuation of Japanese nationals, excluding consular staff and a few men in important service, has been ordered by the Japanese Government. It is stated that the order for evacuation is based on “desire to avoid any possibility of a Sino-Japanese clash in Tsingtao” and that evacuation will be completed within 5 days.
The Department suggests that you might ask Foreign Office for confirmation of the foregoing and at the same time take occasion to urge upon the Japanese Government an early and favorable reply to note mentioned in your 297, August 23, 1 p.m., and Department’s previous.