125.351/10–849: Telegram
The Consul at Dairen (Paddock) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 9—1:03 a. m.]
317. No information of any kind from Soviets re our departure since Contel 303, September 27, repeated Moscow 163.
Regardless assurances Kommandatura might give that official mail will not be examined at customs, it realized there may be trouble with Chinese at customs without opportunity to return pouches to Consulate for burning. Also Chao Shou-yu affair (immediately preceding telegram) makes future developments highly uncertain.
To be freer to meet contingencies and because believed unwise postpone action longer, Consulate today burned its files both classified and unclassified.
There remains only small packet current material of which Department does not have copies, copies of Consulate letters to local authorities, and accounts.
Matter of examination still important, however, for 7 months’ accumulation Consulate mail.
Sent Department. Department pass Moscow 171.