125.953/8–1848: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)
1199. ReEmbtel 1483, August 11. Dept concurs in desirability maintaining Consulate Tsingtao in event city occupied by Communists. ConGen Tsingtao should be instructed institute preliminary measures against possible siege of city.
In event fall Tsinan to Communists and consequent evacuation Navy dependents from Tsingtao, Emb should authorize ConGen Tsingtao effect simultaneous evacuation Consulate women and dependents if in estimate individual officer or employee concerned such evacuation desirable. It should be clearly understood by ConGen that decision by individuals to refrain from evacuating dependents may conceivably entail unknown hardships and privations in event Communist occupation and possible physical injury particularly if Nationalist forces offer determined resistance. Possibility (though in Dept’s opinion not probability) that occupying Communist forces might attack evacuating US Naval forces which would in turn be forced engage rear guard action resulting in increased Communist enmity toward Americans should also be considered by individuals concerned in arriving at decision.
In this connection it is possible that there may arise difference of opinion between Emb and officers in charge of posts where Communist occupation threatened re desirability evacuation dependents. In this event Emb should indicate clearly to officer in charge Emb’s views in matter and basis for judgment. Dept believes, however, that in final instance question of evacuating dependents should be left to discretion officer or employee concerned and in no case should Emb insist on such action in contravention wishes individual officer or employee. Instructions contained para, numbered 1 Deptel 765, May 20, and para, numbered 1 Deptgram A–107, May 19,28 hereby amended to conform this respect.
- Latter not printed.↩