125.7146/12–1748: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 19—7:07 p.m.]
2551. [To Peiping:] We feel you should take no steps under new regime which might have effect of hastening alien control over your radio transmitter (urtel 538, December 14 to Department,22 repeated Shanghai 1528, Nanking 798). We recommend continue using transmitter for official traffic only as in past and that you do not take initiative in bringing it to attention of de facto authorities. If and when latter threaten close down or seizure of transmitter and you are forced to negotiate for its continued operation, you might at that time and in your discretion include in your discussions suggested service for American correspondents or press agencies. If some arrangement can at that time be worked out which does not prejudice use of transmitter for official messages and to which de facto authorities agree, there would seem to be no objection.
Embassy’s principal concern is to safeguard your use of transmitter since without means of communication your continued presence Peiping is pointless. While we wish to be helpful to American correspondents, we have in mind Mukden’s experience and undesirable publicity by certain American correspondents China of information coming out via that channel. As you know, we have had no word from Mukden now for one month.
Sent Peiping 261, repeated Department 2551, Shanghai 1284.
- Not printed.↩