811.33193/12—1648
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)20
Washington, December 16,
1948—noon.
1831. Following NSC decisions Dec 10 re use US armed forces in connection with evacuation US citizens China:
- (a)
- US armed forces China should be utilized for protection lives and property US citizens only with concurrence of Amb or ranking US consular officer on spot, except in most urgent circumstances involving serious danger American lives from mob action when time and circumstances would not permit communication by Commander US armed forces with Amb or consular officer.
- (b)
- US Marine units should not be stationed at Kiangwan military airfield near Shanghai, and no US Armed Services personnel should engage in joint operation this airfield after withdrawal JUSMAG21 Air Force personnel.
- (c)
- If use airfield Shanghai area required for evacuation US citizens, authority should be obtained from Chinese Govt for use Lunghua civilian airfield, and use these facilities should be discontinued in event Shanghai and its environs threatened by Communist attack.
Lovett