Officials, commenting on the viewpoint of some Shanghai Americans that evacuation would undermine American prestige in the Orient, indicated their belief to-day that the divergence of opinion is due merely to contrary views of what constitutes disposed to argue with their nationals openly and therefore declined to comment for publication. They hinted their conviction that the United States could uphold its interests, principles and treaty rights by the maintenance of warships in China, as well as by a firm diplomatic position. by the Government.
It was felt that the presence of large numbers of Americans in China in no wise contributed to the maintenance of prestige but only created hazards which might complicate the situation for the Government. One reason the United States urgently seeks to evacuate its citizens is to avoid incidents which might further incite public opinion here to demand the invocation of the Neutrality Act, which officials believed would be regarded as a far greater blow to United States prestige and influence in the Far East than the evacuation of American citizens.
Indianapolis, Sept. 8.
Mr. Frank Samuel, National Ad-jurant of the American Legion, to-day Said that the requests of the Shanghai Post would be considered at the national convention in New York September 20-23, and would probably be referred to the foreign affairs committee and then to the floor. It was indicated that immediate action was not likely to be. taken since the cable did not ask for it.
The cable sent by the Shanghai Post declared that it was "imperative for America to defend her prestige and property in Shanghai. This post is definitely against evacuation and ear-
If thus placed, the Government would be retreating from the responsibility it assumed on behalf of China when it sponsored the Nine-Power treaty, Despite this, if more Americans are injured or killed, President Roosevelt and the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, might not be able to continue to resist the demand for invoking the Neutrality Observers here believed that residents of Shanghai fail to comprehend the tremendous political demand in the United States for neutrality and the avoidance of war—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.