893.1561/11–948: Telegram
The Consul at Dairen (Paddock) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 11—7:07 a. m.]
200. Sources, reliability unknown, state: (1) Soviets plan “open” Dairen port within month; (2) railroad Dairen–Harbin to open by February; (3) Harbin–Changchun section already operating.
Recurrence of open port rumors natural now [that] all Manchuria can easily send and receive goods through here. Actually Siberian vessels whose cargoes commercial in every sense (except that all goods semi-military in USSR) have long used port without restraint. Soviet ships reported go direct world ports but with papers indicate they from some Siberian port. It likely some come here direct from non-Soviet ports since examples occur Soviet sailors trading articles like fresh US or British cigarettes.
One precedent open port was S. S. Nortuna (reContel 9, July 13, repeated Department 105,22 Moscow 8) whose presence apparently never protested by Chinese Government.
Reported visit here Mao Tse-tung23 (reContel 88, November 9, repeated Department 19622) could well be linked with talks reopening outlet for Manchurian trade. Communists particularly anxious trade soya beans for vitally needed medicines and manufactured articles.
Sent Nanking 91, repeated Department 200. Department pass Nanking 91, Shanghai 131, Mukden 37, Moscow 77.