Office of the Historian

120.34 Transportation/9–349: Telegram

The Consul at Dairen (Paddock) to the Secretary of State

Dairen, September 3, 1949—2 p. m.
[Received September 3—11:05 p. m.]

262. ReDeptel 131, September 2 [1], repeated Moscow 613.

1.
Transportation facilities:
(a)
Soviet ship to Vladivostok, thence Soviet plane to Tokyo or trans-Siberia to Moscow or Soviet ship. Plane ordinarily difficult due our possibly large party and personal effects. Cost exorbitant. No Soviet ship now out of Vladivostok as shown by courier difficulties. No Government-owned property worth sending via Vladivostok.
(b)
One of foreign freighters calling here under Soviet charter. Impossible for Consul see captain arrange passage. No time for representatives to try contact ship before arrival and not certain Soviets [Page 905] even then allow our departure on it. Soviets however may allow it if it is made part of any discussions with them re closing posts.
(c)
Diversion special ship by Department. This is cheapest due size party and considerable amount good pieces office and house furniture and equipment for use by American post at first port of call. Whether Soviets able prevent such ship is not known.
2.
Department please inform if confidential files should be destroyed or taken, also non-confidential files.
3.
Due lack funds Consulate must sell jeep with trailer, Oldsmobile, transmitter, radios, coal supply, in order close office properly. Please authorize. No other inventory items to be sold due bad market.
4.
If we go via Vladivostok, Moscow must arrange pay all our expenses there as we will arrive without funds.
5.
Moscow Embassy should arrange laissez passer for Americans take personal effects out at Dairen and in and out of Vladivostok without examination; also for Soviets to recognize us as couriers (Consulate will issue courier letter).
6.
Regardless transport used, Consulate will take out effects of British couriers and assume British Government will pay costs but Department please verify Consulate should do this.

Deptel garbled; if additional information requested Consulate will answer after request.

Sent Department 262, repeated Moscow 140, Nanking 188.

Paddock