793.94/11418: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Embassy in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:55 p.m.]
984. My 979, December 2, 9 a.m. Please transmit to Father Jacqui-not following message from International Committee for Nanking safety zone: [Page 748]
“Cordial thanks for your services. Committee appreciates Japanese assurance of endeavor to respect the district as far as consistent with military necessity. We have secured full agreement from Chinese military authorities for exact compliance with original proposal. Committee is therefore proceeding with work of organization and administration in safety zone and informs you refugees already entering. At proper time and after adequate inspection Committee will formally notify both Chinese and Japanese authorities that zone is in operation. Committee would ask you kindly to confer again with Japanese authorities pointing out that direct assurances from them to us would go still further to lessen the anxiety of distressed civilians and respectfully requesting them to give us early notification to that effect. (Signed) Rabe, Chairman.”
Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to Department, Hankow, Peiping.