894A.00/3–547: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

449. Following telegram No. 30 dated Mar 3, 2 p.m. received from Taipei:

“Doctor owning small private hospital and one other Formosan today on own initiative exhibited conclusive evidence to Consulate of dumdum bullet fired from patrolling military truck into hospital premises yesterday and requested Consulate intercession with authorities to prevent future use such outlawed ammunition. Please instruct.

While unable prevent approaches being made, fully realize importance of not involving Consulate with either side in present struggle. For this reason have refused to permit dumdum bullet evidence being held by Consulate pending Embassy’s instructions.”

Embassy has informed Blake that it approves his action in refraining from involving Consulate in matter reported in above message as well as request by local committee to use Consulate to disseminate news of Taipei incident (reported Taipei’s 32, Mar 312). Consulate also instructed to continue to refrain from intercession either official or personal in such internal difficulties while reporting any further approaches of this character to Embassy.

Stuart
  1. See telegram No. 448, supra.