121.67/12–448: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 5—1:20 a. m.]
2417. [To Mukden:] We understand couriers now en route to Dairen via Vladivostok are carrying personal but no classified mail for you. In general, we doubt whether courier service to you via Vladivostok and Dairen will prove feasible due to probable delays and Soviet obstruction. We have learned that Soviet Foreign Office has rejected our proposal to send small unarmed US Navy courier vessel to Dairen on grounds that substitute Vladivostok route is satisfactory.
We therefore hope you will be successful in obtaining authorization for courier airplane flight to Mukden. (Embtel 201 to Mukden, repeated Department 2373, November 30). As alternative, suggest you explore possibilities US Navy unarmed LCI or other small vessel putting into Hulutao, Yingkow, or similar Communist occupied port.
Sent Mukden 203, repeated Department, Shanghai 1215.