Office of the Historian

124.93/423: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, December 28, 1937—9 a.m.
[Received 11:30 a.m.]

1238. Reference Department’s 697, December 27, 11 a.m.58 Allison and staff have sailed on the Oahu. In paragraph 2 of my 1231, December 26, 6 p.m., I said that our officers were asked to postpone departure for Nanking until after 1st of January. Japanese Consul General estimated it would require 3 or 4 days to proceed from Shanghai to Nanking and expected situation at Nanking to be sufficiently cleared after about the 4th of January. Allison understands this.

2.
The Oahu may visit Wuhu before proceeding to Nanking. If so Allison will investigate the flag incident mentioned in my No, 1219.59
3.
Allison has been supplied two gray codes and special gray cipher. Espy60 has the post’s consular rubber stamp seal.

Repeated to Hankow and Peiping.

Gauss
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. December 23, 9 p.m., vol. iv, p. 409.↩
  3. James Espy, Vice Consul at Shanghai on special detail to Nanking.↩