125.3513/9–1949: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 19—6:13 p. m.]
2358. Reference Deptel 661, September 18. Note addressed Acting Minister Foreign Affairs as follows delivered by Barbour72 10 p. m., Moscow time, to Saksin,72a head American Section, who promised bring attention Gromyko73 tonight.
“I have honor to refer to my note No. 518 of September 10, 1949, in which Soviet Government was informed of decision of my Government to close American Consulate at Dairen, in which Soviet Government was requested to instruct its officials in Dairen to facilitate closure of Consulate and departure of its staff. Although reply to this note has not yet been received, it will be recalled that at time of my delivery of this note to Foreign Minister Vyshinsky on September 10, 1949, I pointed out that my Government urgently desired cooperation of Soviet Government in this matter, that Foreign Minister assured me that reply to my note would be forthcoming expeditiously.
“Meanwhile, on September 15, 1949, Mr. Chao Yi-hsien, Senior Chinese clerical employee of American Consulate at Dairen, has been arrested by local police, his whereabouts is unknown. Repeated efforts of Consul Paddock to communicate with Mr. Chao have proved fruitless, Soviet authorities at Dairen have refused to receive Consul Paddock or to accept any communication from him in connection with this case. Clerk Chao Yi-hsien has been an employee of US Government for past 27 years.
“In light of these circumstances, and of position maintained by Soviet Government in Dairen, it is impossible for Soviet Government to avoid ultimate responsibility for Mr. Chao’s detention and continued [Page 916] absence from his duties in American Consulate. Accordingly, in protesting this most recent interference by local authorities with legitimate functioning of Consulate and attitude of Soviet authorities in Dairen in refusing to permit Consulate to communicate with or to interview clerk Chao, my Government has instructed me to impress upon Soviet Government importance of latter’s urgent intervention in this matter with view to ascertaining Mr. Chao’s whereabouts, effecting his release, and, as requested in my note under reference, arranging for early departure from Dairen of Consul Paul Paddock, Vice Consul Culver Gleysteen, and Chinese members of Consulate staff which includes clerk Chao Yi-hsien and his five family dependents, and clerk Chao Shou-yu.
“Please accept, Excellency, renewed assurance of my highest consideration.”
Sent Department 2358; Department pass Dairen 37.