390.1115A/587: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Thailand (Peck)

156. Your 528, November 22, 9 a.m.

1.
The Department under date of November 22 telegraphically instructed our officers in the areas mentioned as follows:

“The Department desires that the American diplomatic and consular officers concerned call to the attention of American citizens in the Japanese Empire, Japanese-occupied areas of China, Hong Kong, Macao, and French Indochina the advice previously given in regard to withdrawal and in so doing emphasize that the shipping problem in the Pacific is very difficult and that because of urgent demands elsewhere there is no assurance that it will be possible to retain in the Pacific even the present facilities.”

2.
The Department believes that it would be appropriate at this time for you to acquaint American citizens of the categories mentioned now in Thailand with the nature of the renewed suggestions in regard to withdrawal as contained in the above quoted instruction.
Hull