393.1163/880: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 15—6:55 a.m.]
262. An urgent letter has been received from the American Baptist Mission at Suifu stating that the local Chinese police department has officially requested that no American flags be displayed during air alarms. Oral explanation given by the authorities is that the city has taken great pains to darken walls and otherwise obliterate all distinctive markings; and that flags known by the Japanese to be on property whose location is likewise known to them permits them to direct attack on other objectives. Letter states that similar requests have been addressed to residents of other nationalities and asks for our instructions or advice.
This query presents a problem in which relations between American residents and local Chinese authorities and population are an important factor. If the Department approves, I am inclined to reply that if the Chinese could suppress all markings as on hospitals the individual American citizens concerned must decide for themselves whether their relations with the Chinese surrounding them render it advisable to accede to the request that no flag be displayed. I should appreciate the Department’s comments.
Repeated to Peiping.