125.633/5–2748: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 27—9:45 a. m.]
958. Re Mukden’s 266, May 18 [8]22 and previous exchange of telegrams between Nanking, Mukden and Department on size of staff in Mukden in event of Communist occupation, Embassy while fully recognizing considerations which led ConGen Mukden belief that staff in Mukden should, if anything, be increased in event of Communist occupation, feels compelled to disagree. As we have oftentimes repeated, it is our conviction that US Government in any area where it has an established office must stand its ground in the event of Communist occupation. The entire position of American interests in China could well be seriously compromised should we at every point recede. It is fully realized that a certain element of physical risk is involved for those concerned and an even higher possibility of grave unpleasantness or even physical discomfort and it is our conviction that all possible should be done for such American personnel as remain in the event of Communist occupation.
There are, however, in our opinion, certain factors which counsel against the increase in staff as recommended by Mukden. The cold fact is that we simply do not know with any degree of assurance what the reaction of occupying Communist forces would be to the presence of American officials. We must, therefore, proceed on assumption there may be fairly considerable possibility of physical danger until it is proven to the contrary. On this assumption the risk of an incident which would precipitate unfortunate consequences for all concerned increases in direct ratio to the number of individuals concerned. Furthermore, since communications between Communist and National territory will most assuredly be extremely difficult, the problem of supporting those who remain also increases in direct ratio the numbers involved. It is therefore our considered opinion that the size of the staff should be conditioned by the volume of work possible. Our evidence at present suggests that the current [Page 820] staff is more [than?] adequate for the work [that?] can be done in Mukden today and since this volume of work would doubtless be reduced under the Communists, an even smaller staff under occupation would be adequate.
Embassy is fully cognizant of and sympathetic to problems of morale which are raised by ConGen Mukden. We are in full agreement that all possible should be done to maintain that morale. We would, at the same time, point out that service in Mukden is on a voluntary basis. We would also point out that there are many posts in Foreign Service today where living conditions are anything but ideal; and thirdly, we would point out that association with Foreign Service implies on part of those who enter it a readiness undergo certain hardships and certain disabilities which are not expected of other people. If we read current trend of world affairs correctly, Foreign Service officers and employees can, for a number of years to come, expect only hardship and discomfort in a number of areas of the world. We say this with all sympathetic understanding of problems with which Mukden may be confronted and with assurance we will, of course, do all within our power to be helpful. But we must state our opinion that in the interests not only of the US itself but also of individuals concerned the indicated course of action should be a gradual reduction in size of the Mukden staff to a number more commensurate with work possible to be accomplished under existing and anticipated conditions.
Sent Department, repeated Mukden 101.