121.67/11–3048: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 1—12:57 a. m.]
2373. [To Mukden:] Despite fact that courier service to Dairen has been reinitiated November 27 by departure from Shanghai to Vladivostok of two couriers on Smolny, we doubt whether this service can be extended to Mukden. Recent telegram from Dairen58 pointed out there is no railway service from Dairen to Mukden. Highway travel would be dangerous and Soviets and CCP would doubtless cause difficulties in regard to documentation necessary to cross Kwantung border.
We therefore believe only really practicable courier route to Mukden will be by air from Tsingtao or similar point and therefore urge you to leave no stone unturned to obtain authorization from Mukden officials for this flight.
Sent Mukden 201, repeated Department, pouched Tsingtao.