Office of the Historian

123 Stuart, J. Leighton: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, October 4, 1948—6 p.m.
[Received October 5—12:23 a.m.]

1832. Carrying out a long planned and somewhat delayed visit to Consulates and American communities in Tientsin and Peiping, Ambassador left Nanking this morning for a 10-day visit to North [Page 846] China.68 This has caused usual speculation in vernacular press, more sensational of which reports that he is traveling on a special “mission” and that he is conferring with local American residents in attempt to afford adequate protection for life, property, consular staff and American residents that area in face of possible emergency.

Stuart
  1. In his telegram No. 1805, September 30, 5 p.m., the Ambassador stated: “Present decision is that I will, on forthcoming trip Tientsin and Peiping, discreetly inform Americans with whom I come in contact of Embassy’s concern over military deterioration North China and of my belief that it may soon be advisable to issue evacuation warning.” (393.1115/9–3048)↩