125.0093/11–1548: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 15—7:53 a. m.]
2219. ReDeptel to Mukden 187, November 1 [2] repeated Nanking 1525. In light of our experience in USSR during war and in Dairen and Eastern Europe after war, we cannot escape conclusion that Chinese Communists will attempt closure of USIS transmitters in those consular offices located in cities occupied by CCF.47
We, therefore, recommend that such consular offices be instructed to protest most vigorously in event CCF tries to take such action, basing this protest on grounds that before transmitters can be closed it is incumbent on CCF to provide alternative and suitable means of sending messages to US Government. Our consular offices should also insist on right to use codes, in case CCF brings up that question, although grounds for this less tenable.
We also believe we should leave no stone unturned to reestablish courier service to these consular offices as soon as possible. The sooner and more energetically we in Nanking and our consular offices in Communist territory force this issue, the more likely we are to have ultimate success. It seems reasonable to suppose that Chinese Communists are themselves a little uncertain as to how to handle this matter and that if we allow them to persist long in what will presumably be their naturally negative attitude it will become progressively more difficult to get them to change their minds. In line with this we recommend [Page 836] Mukden Consulate General be instructed to give first priority in its local representations to reestablishment of courier service.
In general we believe that we should make it clear to Chinese Communists as soon as possible that our consular offices are prepared to deal with them only on a self-respecting and dignified basis and it is assumed that the customary rights and prerogatives of consular offices will be respected. In this connection, we believe we are very fortunate in having in Mukden and Peiping two Consuls General48 with the invaluable experience of service in Vladivostok and that we can rely fully on their discretion and sound judgment for all measures to be taken in establishing informal relations with Chinese Communists on most advantageous basis.