121.893/7–1647: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 16—5:10 a.m.]
1533. News of the Wedemeyer Mission reached me first through the Central News Agency of the Chinese Govt. I was in Peiping at the time and found upon my return to Nanking on July 15 that the same state of affairs prevailed at the Embassy where news of the mission was received some hours after it was known to the Central News Agency and that agency had requested confirmation and additional information from the Embassy. Needless to say, the Embassy informed me of the press reports and later confirmed them officially when the Dept’s telegram 857 of July 11, 5 p.m., was received.
I am confident that you have good reason for not informing me in advance of your intention to send this mission and of its purpose; however, I cannot but feel that press releases upon such an important mission could have been made in such a way to save embarrassment for myself and staff.