125.351/8–1949: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 19—12:32 p. m.]
2093. If Department decides close Dairen (Nanking’s 1777, August 13 to Department), Embassy strongly assumes that our actions this respect will be carefully planned with view to (1) minimum impairment US dignity and prestige; and (2) maximum public and diplomatic exploitation reasons for our withdrawal to disadvantage Soviet and Chinese Communists. Embassy believes achievement these ends could be accomplished by notification to Soviet Foreign Office at appropriate time US decision close Consulate on account unreasonable and onerous restrictions and vexations imposed by Soviet-dominated regime (including pertinent details) and failure Soviet Government give assurances requested in Embassy note June 9 (Embtel 1490, June 9) that our consular staff would be treated in accordance international law and practice. Our note should be given full publicity in due course.
Embassy also recommends that serious consideration be given to use US naval vessel for physical withdrawal consular staff and effects and that our intention to dispatch such vessel this purpose be included in proposed note Soviet Foreign Office. Evacuation by this means would not only have advantages from standpoint US dignity and prestige but would also simplify otherwise difficult transportation problems. It might also enable US save faithful alien employees from unhappy fate at hands Chinese Communists.
It might be well inform Soviets that use naval vessel necessary to obviate “well-known difficulties and delays now prevailing with respect to ordinary means of travel into and out of Dairen area.” Whether Soviets would place obstacles in way implementation such plan problematical. Although last request for permission send courier Dairen US naval vessel turned down by Soviet Foreign Office on ground alternative facilities via Vladivostok available (Embtel 2751, November 27, 194855) Soviets would this time have difficulty suggesting feasible alternatives and furthermore might view final “withdrawal” voyage in different light from previous requests for periodic courier service. If Soviets should flatly refuse permit vessel enter Port Dairen, arrangement off-shore embarkation similar that which took place on withdrawal mission from Albania in 1946 might be feasible.
Sent Department 2093, repeated Dairen 31, Nanking 90.