390.1115A/633: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Foochow (Rice)
17. Your December 27, 6 p.m. Department approves the action you contemplate in informing American citizens residing in your district of the potential danger of continued residence therein. If in your considered opinion the danger of continued residence at Foochow and certain coastal sections of your district is greater than the present risks of travel to places of greater safety elsewhere, you should not hesitate to advise American citizens to avail themselves of the present opportunities to withdraw from potential danger zones.
Department has communicated the sense of your telegram under reference to the mission boards mentioned therein and is now awaiting their decision respecting the instructions to be given to their missionaries in the Foochow district. These instructions will be communicated to you as soon as they are received.