393.11/2150: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
142. Your 388, August 8, noon. In view of the comments in your telegram under reference, we are not for the present suggesting that the Embassy issue formal advice to Americans to withdraw from Chungking, Yunnanfu and other places in southwestern China. The Department desires, however, that you and Yunnanfu continue, as indicated in the last substantive paragraph of your telegram, informally to urge withdrawal as opportunity presents itself, and you are requested to instruct the Consul at Yunnanfu accordingly and to ask him to emphasize to the American residents of that city the probable dangers to be anticipated by continued residence there and the possibility that transportation facilities to places outside of southwestern China and Indochina may shortly become unavailable.
The Department will adopt the suggestion contained in the last substantive sentence of your telegram and will take steps to discourage Americans, except in cases in which there may be impelling circumstances, from proceeding to the areas of West China.
Sent to Chungking. Repeated to Peiping.