124.93/375a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
353. Your 913, received November 14. In the event that the Chinese Government should withdraw from Nanking to some other point, you would of course wish, whether you actually follow the Government to that point or not, to consider yourself as constructively with the Government.
Department desires that you get in touch with the ranking diplomatic representatives of other principally interested governments, whether those representatives are in Nanking, Shanghai or Peiping, discuss the whole matter with them, ascertain what they plan to do in the eventuality under reference, whether they plan to follow the Government actually or at least constructively, that is, they might feel it necessary for them to remain for certain periods in other places but would consider themselves constructively as being with the Government. It would seem necessary that before making your final plans you will have to ascertain definitely to what place the Government is going, whether it will remove there in whole or in part, what Government offices and officials will be there and what offices and officials will [Page 681] remain at other points, and whether the Government plans to stay at the point to which it removes unless forced to withdraw to some other point.
The carrying out of the procedure outlined above should not be construed as a decision on your part not to follow the Government but merely as the taking by you of sufficient time to work matters out in an orderly manner. Obviously, in connection with such a question, certain matters have to be given attention and consideration including conferences with your colleagues and with the Department.
Please inform the Department completely by urgent telegram in regard to the foregoing points and in regard to any further developments which may occur and which would be of assistance to the Department.