393.11/1499: Telegram
The Consul General at Nanking (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 25—8:40 a.m.]
71. My 70, March 23, 11 a.m. Telegram from the American Minister to the Department No. 45, March 24, 2 p.m. I have released to American residents of Nanking and to the press the following statement:
“March 25, 1932. On February 5th, 1932, the American Consulate General in Nanking issued a statement to the American community pointing out that fighting between Chinese and Japanese was then continuing with undiminished intensity and that if hostilities should spread to larger areas it might become increasingly difficult to leave Nanking, should an emergency require such a measure. Early in February approximately 120 persons, two-thirds of the American community, left the Capital. Their continued absence is the cause of considerable inconvenience to all concerned and in some cases important enterprises are seriously impeded.
The situation has now changed. There has been no serious hostilities in the Shanghai area for about 3 weeks and on March 24, 1932, negotiations for a truce were opened in Shanghai. While it is apparent that until the truce negotiations have been brought to a successful conclusion there can be no official assurance that normal living conditions have been restored in Nanking, the Consulate General feels that decision in regard to a return to Nanking should now be made by each American organization or individual, in the light of general conditions and of the special circumstances of each case.”
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