693.0023/3–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 4—5:10 p.m.]
643. Following is translation of body of note dated March 3 from Foreign Office:
“In reply to Embassy’s note No. 127 of Feb. 26, 1947,35 has honor to state that in memorandum dated Feb. 6, 194736 Soviet Embassy in China brought to attention of American Embassy in China fact that in as much as Port Dalny is, according to Soviet-Chinese agreement regarding Dalny, commercial port and entry of war vessels into Dalny is not envisaged, it is necessary that in future American diplomatic couriers be dispatched to Dalny not in naval vessels but in commercial vessels. It was further pointed out in memorandum that notification regarding arrival in Dalny of American vessel carrying diplomatic couriers is to be given in good time through Embassy of US in Moscow to Minister Foreign Affairs of USSR.
Drawing attention of Embassy of USA to foregoing, Minister Foreign Affairs hopes that above regulations regarding entry of foreign vessels into Dalny will be observed by appropriate American authorities and that in future dispatching of American diplomatic couriers to Dalny will be performed not by naval vessels but by commercial vessels.
With regard to American war vessel arrival of which in Dalny, as is indicated in Embassy’s note, is expected about March 5, as exception in this case, instructions have been issued to appropriate Soviet military authorities to permit entry of this vessel into Port Dalny.”
Dept repeat Nanking.