125.351/9–2048: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith)
1169. Dept extremely reluctant close Dairen Consulate and desires Emb again energetically seek Soviet permission use unarmed naval vessel transport supplies courier that office (your 2055 Sept 20 rptd Nanking 26 Shanghai 29). Suggest in your discretion note SovFonOff along following lines:
Closing AmConsulate Vladivostok pursuant Soviet request makes impossible continuance present practice having diplomatic couriers proceed on Soviet vessels Shanghai to Dairen via Vladivostok and makes imperative immediate solution problem transportation couriers Dairen.
As port Dairen now closed to international trade, obviously impractical divert commercial vessels long distance involved sole purpose transporting diplomatic couriers and supplies that city. Resumption use small unarmed naval vessel appears only practical procedure at present. SovGovt will recall such procedure used late 1946 early 1947 with satisfactory results.
US Govt accordingly requests approval SovGovt periodic entry Dairen small unarmed US naval vessel sole purpose transporting diplomatic couriers and supplies AmConsulate. It contemplated vessel would sail from port north China and appropriate Sov authorities be informed sufficiently in advance sailing allow notification Sov authorities Dairen.
In view long period Con Dairen without courier communications early Sov concurrence this procedure would be appreciated.