125.6336/2–2849: Telegram

The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State

479. Embtel 412 (repeated Peiping 55). As I have already reported, I believe our next step to solve Mukden impasse should be for Clubb to attempt to send Manhard and one other officer to Mukden. I would suggest that Clubb be instructed to send note to highest available Peiping authority informing that US Government is seriously concerned over welfare consular personnel Mukden and that it wishes Communists provide facilities travel Mukden [for] Manhard who has been permanently transferred that post and one other officer who proposes make round trip purpose accompanying out of Mukden two or more members consular staff who have been reassigned. Note should continue US Government takes very serious view Communist failure provide communications facilities to Consulate General and that functioning consular offices [may continue?] in territory under unrecognized governments. I believe such note if accepted in first [Page 942] instance would soon be passed up to top-level authorities. It would be futile to draw Hong Kong Communists into scene because they have demonstrated themselves to be without influence and poor channel of communication. Further believe at this stage no useful purpose would be served by threatening to close American Consulate General but that if Communists still refuse to act on our request by, say March 15, then in second note Clubb should inform Peiping authorities that we wish to close Consulate General and request their assistance in effecting withdrawal of consular staff.

It would help buttress our application for second officer to make round trip to Mukden if Department were to reassign Stokes23 or Hubbard24 and one or two clerks. Communist action on this would also provide indication whether they are actually holding Consular staff as hostages. I assume two or more members could now easily be spared from Mukden staff.

I have already reported in recent telegram25 Moscow [Peiping?] regarding Mukden Consulate General, namely, that in its present status that post is hazardous to health welfare of staff, derogatory to dignity sovereign power and useless waste FS personnel and public funds. In addition I would observe that our patience over unjustifiable Communist behavior in Mukden may well be misconstrued by Communists in such way as to set very unfortunate precedent for posts in future. I am therefore convinced if worst comes to worst, we should not hesitate close post giving our action maximum publicity.

Disadvantages our withdrawal from Mukden would be somewhat mitigated by presence of Consulate at Dairen. Furthermore, it is quite possible Communists regard Mukden as special case and their hostility toward foreign Consulates in China Proper may not prove as great as it has in Mukden. If this is true, firm action on our part re Mukden would perhaps have salutary effect on treatment of our Consulates elsewhere.

Sent Department, repeated Canton, Shanghai, Peiping.

Stuart
  1. William N. Stokes, Vice Consul at Mukden.
  2. Fred E. Hubbard, Vice Consul at Mukden.
  3. Telegram No. 412, February 18, noon, p. 937.