Office of the Historian

393.115/151: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Hankow, February 3, 1938—3 p.m.
[Received 8:45 p.m.]

77. Peiping’s 81, February 2, 7 p.m.51 Area involved covers a considerable amount of territory wherein are located a large number of American mission stations. It is believed that in most cases steps have been taken by missionaries in residence suitably to mark their property with flags. Consulate at Hankow on January 27 sent following circular to mission stations bordering Honan:

“This Consulate General wishes to renew advice given by it several months ago that in view of the possible spread of hostilities Americans are urged to leave areas which might become dangerous and if necessary to withdraw from the country. In view of the likelihood of hostilities or disorder in Honan Province in the near future you are now earnestly urged to consider whether you should withdraw from that province while communications are still possible. It is requested that you inform all other Americans at your station. With a view of having on file at this office as complete information as possible regarding the location of American property in areas of possible future military operations it is suggested that if you so desire your mission station prepare and forward to this office in duplicate a map of the city and the location of the property of your mission. In some cases it may be possible to procure and forward printed maps of the city or locality on which can be marked the location of the mission property. If not, sketch maps drawn as nearly as possible to scale map may be used.”

This circular will also be sent to mission stations in Anhwei, Hupeh and Shansi known to Consulate but it is not at all certain that these messages can reach stations concerned, nor is it probable that [Page 258] Consulate or Embassy will be in a position to communicate to Japanese military at Peiping the detailed information desired.52

Sent to Peiping. Copy to Consulate at Hankow.

Johnson
  1. Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, Vol. i, p. 576.↩
  2. For the Department’s reply, see telegram No. 53, February 4, 8 p.m., Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, Vol. i, p. 579.↩