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Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 267, 9 October 1940, Page 7

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ADVICE TO AMERICANS.

WHILE FACILITIES LAST

(United Press Association—Copyright) Received October 9, 9.10 a.m. SHANGHAI, Oct. 8.

The American State Department has instructed United States Far Eastern Consulates to advise all Americans to evacuate the Japanese Empire, including Korea, also Manchukuo, China and Hong Kong as soon as possible.

The department’s instructions said Americans should be advised to return to the' United States immediately while the facilities are available, because it is not known how long they will remain available. In future the Far East will be placed-t on the same basis as Europe as far as Americans’ travel and residence are concerned. A report from Washington says the State Department has confirmed the evacuation advice and said American Consuls in Japan, China, and other parts of the Orient had been notified to suggest to American citizens the advisability of utilising the transportation facilities now available. This is a eontipuation \ of the precautionary policy regarding the safety of American citizens in various parts of the world. 11,000 PERSONS INVOLVED. The Shanghai consulate has not yet advised Americans to evacuate. However, it is understood it is issuing a circular within a few hours. The State Department’s message said the instructions should not be interpreted sensationally. The instructions emphasised that evacuation was advisable in view of the uncertain conditions throughout the Orient. They definitely advised Americans to return to tlie United States instead of Manila, to which many were evacuated in the previous China emergencies. It is estimated that 9000 white Americans and 2000 Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino Americans are resident in the areas involved. It is understood some American ships are being diverted to China for the purpose of facilitating the evacuation.

The instructions said American women, children, and non essential men should particularly be advised to evacu - ate as soon as possible. It is understood Admiral Hart is ordering the wives of navy men to return to the United States as soon as possible. The instructions have been issued to the Consuls in Japan. China, IndoChina, Hong Kong, Manchukuo, the Kwantung leased territory, Korea, and Formosa. Thev will point out that transport facilities might bo limited in .future. VITAL TALKS.

At Washington the Japanese Ambassador (Mr liorinouchi) has arranged to confer with the Secretary of State (Mr Hull), while Lord Lothian (British Ambassador) was scheduled to meet President Roosevelt, who is receiving all reports from the Far East. The Commander-in-Chief of the United States Fleet (Admiral Richardson) is expected to confer with Mr Roosevelt before returning to the coast later this week. . Mr Roosevelt lunched with Adnnra Richardson, Mr Sumner Welles, and Admiral Leahy.

It is generally believed nil aspects of the Far East, including the disposition of the fleet, were thoroughly discussed. Lord Lothian has announced that he has cancelled his plans to fly to London, because the British Foreign Office “think there may be a general crisis in the Far East and have told me I had better stay on tlio job.”

The announcement was made after his conference , with Mr Roosevelt. At Shanghai the Domei News Agency, in reports from the Tokio foreign office said that if the American evacuation reports are true “they are nothing to be excited about, since the United States customarily acts with caution for the protection of its nationals abroad.” . . The Tokio Asahi Shimbun, praising Mr Matsuoka’s speech to the Governors in an editorial, said : “ Japan will not permit British and United States opposition to defeat her aim- We have only to push forward, determined that nothing will stop us. Britain and United States hostility is preposterous and incomprehensible.” A Melbourne message says the Australian Premier (Mr It. G- Menzies) has announced that, owing' to the political situation in Australia, the departure of the Australian Minister, to Japan (Sir John Latham) has been postponed till November, though some members of the staff are leaviug immediately for Tokio.