125.0093/11–248: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Mukden (Ward)32
187. Owing to impossibility foreseeing conditions, Dept cannot provide specific instructions covering all contingencies which may arise in connection functioning consular offices in areas under Communist control and prefers in general rely upon discretion and sound judgment concerned consular officers. However following considerations should be kept in mind in establishing working relations with local Communist officials.
Continued functioning of consulates in area under control unrecognized authorities or dispatch of consular officers such areas does not itself imply recognition but in connection any course action it most important leave no doubt recognition by this Govt not implied and consul acting entirely in consular capacity.
Officer-in-charge may in his discretion choose suitable time to call upon appropriate local officials for purpose informing them he and his staff have remained in city in consular capacity only and for purpose of assisting and protecting American citizens and protecting American property.
Relations with local officials should be maintained insofar as possible on informal and personal basis. Social invitations of private nature from local officials may be accepted in discretion principal officer but acceptance should be in personal not official capacity. In general invitations to social functions of official nature should be filed without formal acknowledgement and such functions should not be attended.
Replacing visas on travel documents issued by unrecognized authorities Consuls should be guided by provisions Note 12 Visa Supplement A FonServRegs.
Dept desires be as helpful as possible in connection with operation consular offices in Communist controlled areas and would welcome questions and comments re various aspects this problem.
- Sent also to Consular Officers at Peiping, Tientsin telegram, and Tsingtao as telegrams Nos. 201, 206, and 148, respectively; repeated to the Embassy in China as telegram No. 1525. In telegram No. 1605, November 12, 3 p. m., the Department instructed the Embassy to repeat this telegram to other Consulates when circumstances made it desirable (125.0093/11–1248).↩