893.00/12–1048: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 11—7:31 a.m.]
2485. Reference Shanghai’s 2637, December 3, 8 p.m., to Department. Embassy fully shares Consulate General Shanghai’s reluctance to recommend any assistance in evacuation of prominent Chinese public figures or Chinese who have been closely associated with Americans and whose lives would be jeopardized by a Communist take over. This problem seems to us closely related with the question of political asylum though there are certain obvious differences. In a sense, evacuation of Chinese could be construed as unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of China. Certainly no such evacuation should be based entirely on political considerations. On the other hand, we incline to believe that certain other factors might well suggest the kind of assistance Shanghai proposes.
In the case of Chinese who have closely and loyally identified themselves with American activities, we believe a case could be made that we have certain moral responsibility, particularly if it can be demonstrated that jeopardy to these individuals arises in any considerable measure from their American connections. There is nothing in current Communist attitudes to suggest that identification with US could possibly be anything but a liability to those under Communist domination.
[Page 927]Case of prominent political figures is more difficult. Here we refer to individuals such as K. C. Wu,4 Wong Wen-hao,5 Wang Shih-chieh,6 and O. K. Yui.7 Men of this calibre have held themselves aloof from unsavory aspects of Chinese politics, have unquestioningly and unselfishly devoted their lives to welfare of their country and have demonstrated beyond all doubt their genuine devotion to human principles for which US stands. There is no reason to believe that they would be given anything but short shrift under Communists or that they could make any real contribution to their country if they remained behind the iron curtain.
We believe, therefore, that on humanitarian grounds, and for the larger benefit of civilization, we would be justified in a final crisis and at their request in evacuating to places of safety in China those Chinese responding to above description.
Sent Department 2485, repeated Shanghai 1251.