125.351/10–2649: Telegram
The Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Sebald) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 26—6:31 a. m.]
445. From Paddock. Summary of press conference at Tokyo on afternoon October 26th. Three Seoul conferences on Soviet treatment of Consulate Dairen, Sino-Soviet relations in Dairen, and Kwantung economy were summarized for newsmen.
(1) Chief difficulties were servicing post, isolation of Consulate officers and harassment of staff. Soviets controlled servicing post by permitting entry couriers and replacement only through Vladivostok. Due failure issue transit visas, Soviets prevented more than average of one courier trip per 4 months and only replacements since period of opening post were Paddock and Gleysteen in June 1948. Staff members assigned Dairen waited 4 to 6 months for Soviet transit visas, mostly without Soviets taking any action.
During past 14 months we had mail from outside only twice. Office supplies and funds ran short. Soviets imposed many other forms restrictions on Consulate staff—such as stopping car, jamming broadcasts of our intels from Taipei, et cetera. These restrictions petty but over long period built up to impressive total, which definitely hampered all operations of Consulate.
Most serious was persecution of Chinese staff of [by?] Chinese gendarmerie. When I protested to Soviet authorities, they disclaimed any responsibility for actions Chinese local government. Since beginning [Page 932] year, 2 Chinese staff members arrested; we had to abandon third when Consulate closed. Soviet official in charge Dairen, Chief of Civil Administration, altogether received me five times and never answered written communications of Consulate.
Repeated story of Gleysteen detention incommunicado by Soviet Kommandatura in April on trumped-up charge of signalling with jeep lights to sea. Two weeks later we both arrested by Soviet officers.
Due above restrictions. Consulate officers effectively isolated to small triangle of several square miles from Consulate office–resident–main shipping area.
Newsman asked since all functions curtailed if Consulate remained Dairen only for observation. Replied that Consulate like hardware store where one can go to get all sort of things; however, restrictions on Consulate became more constant and embarrassing comparatively recently.
(2) Sino-Soviet relations in Kwantung summarized most briefly. I said Soviets in military occupation in complete control for practical purposes but that Port Arthur–Dairen Executive Administration handled matters affecting Chinese. Executive Administration only recently admitted connection with Chinese Communist Party government in China; but Communists who control it said publicly on April 13 subordinate to Northeast Bureau in Mukden. They also described Port Arthur–Dairen as “liberated area”.
Questioned on attitude on Chinese Communists in Dairen on Soviets. Answered that I could [not?] reply specifically but that according local press Han Kuang, Chairman of Executive Administration, was native Heilungkiang and studied in Moscow during war.
Questioned whether Dairen connection with Soviet recognition of Peiping regime. Replied there no way to answer such questions because we had no communication with China or even Manchuria.
(3) Survey of Kwantung economy identical to Seoul press conference on same subject, reported in telegram from Seoul October 25 [24]. [Paddock.]