Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East: China, Volume VIII

393.0015/10–948: Telegram

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

Nanking, October 9, 1948—6 p.m.
[Received October 9—5:55 a.m.]

1877. ComNavWesPac, through ConGen Tsingtao, requests our approval his sending ship [to] Chefoo remove 42 foreign nationals endangered there by planned evacuation by Nationalist garrison that port which is to be completed by October 12. ConGen will send Consul Strong⁶⁹ and Chinese assistant. No American naval personnel to go ashore except observer. Evacuation ship should reach Chefoo by noon October 10.

Preponderance potential evacuees are French. French Ambassador, on being informed of situation, requests us inform ComNavWesPac of his gratitude providing opportunity for evacuation his nationals. We have informed ConGen Tsingtao of our approval of ComNavWesPac proposal, stating, “since this is on purely humanitarian basis and no American interests directly involved, utmost caution must be used avoid becoming involved in untoward incident”.

Since Chinese gunboat also proceeding Chefoo and since Communists are in vicinity of port, possibility exists that evacuation may take place under fire. However, we feel humanitarian considerations are sufficiently weighty to justify this risk.

Stuart

69. Robert C. Strong.