125.351/9–849: Telegram
The Consul at Dairen (Paddock) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:54 p. m.]
276. Events past 2 days eliminate time margin for selecting most suitable method for withdrawal Consulate staff, propaganda effect, etc.
Contel 272, September 663 described projected change in status Dairen City. If this occurs before staff gets away, closure possibly not effected for many months.
When restraint placed on local CCP by Soviet diplomatic requirement is removed, Consulate will be as exposed as Mukden Consulate. [Page 908] Lack supplies and funds plus precedent of long record unpleasant incidents, in which helplessness of Consulate proved, are expected make Consulate position worse than Mukden Consulate. Nothing in experience Mukden to indicate Department can arrange departure of staff quickly under such conditions.
Either due announcement of change in Dairen City or merely as another recurring wave, another series petty incidents involving Consulate with Chinese police began 2 days ago.
Consulate began efforts sell jeep as it is most saleable item without awaiting Department authorization. So far, limited circle who able buy it afraid even discuss purchase with American Consulate. Perhaps sale possible later but this factor re difficulties heretofore not realized as so serious.
Thus Consulate needs to insist on last minute Department arranging departure of Consulate staff (Contels 262, and 263, September 3). No couriers here since April 1. Problem of closing Consulate before Department for several months. Situation now such that Department has no alternative but to act immediately and decisively.
In past Moscow Embassy often hampered by difficulty in getting appointment with responsible Soviet official. Accordingly, Consulate recommends Department itself take up problem of departure of Dairen staff at most effective level in Washington within 24 hours after receipt this telegram.
Until notified to contrary by Department, Consulate will plan on Department arranging for Consulate staff to leave Dairen by Soviet ship to Vladivostok, by foreign freighter under Soviet charter (couple such ships in harbor now including Panamanian which has not yet begun unload), by specially chartered vessel from Korea, by specially diverted freighter, or by naval vessel within 10 days.
As Department has now decided to close Consulate and since announcement made of reorganization of Dairen City administration, Department should not postpone, for any reason whatever, departure of Consulate staff.
- Not printed; it reported possibility of Dairen’s detachment administratively from the rest of the Kwantung area which would affect the city’s international status (893.00/9–649).↩