125.3516/6–646: Telegram

The Consul General at Dairen ( Benninghoff ) to the Secretary of State 26

1. Short stay of vessel makes preparations [of] lengthy code message impossible especially as no advanced notice received. Soviet authorities insist port closed and under Soviet military command, hence operation radio probably unpermitted unless Moscow approves. City quiet, food problem serious, uncritical. Soviet military control everything. Chinese officials merely puppets.

Soviet military apparently awaiting developments. This office operating unrestricted but sources information slight and Soviet officials uncooperative. One local Russian employee disappeared.

Did Moscow receive 3 messages sent through Soviet Foreign Office?

Benninghoff
  1. Repeated by the Department as No. 285, June 12, 8 p.m., to the Embassy in China.