125.633/6–949: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 9—5:57 a. m.]
966. ReDeptel 351, June 3. Called yesterday Alien Affairs Office and submitted application “see high-ranking responsible official your office in order directly discuss matter of decision American Government close American Consulate General, Mukden”. Attendant parroted usual Communist phrase indicating I, as Consul General, unknown to them, required that I add to application that I was making request in capacity ordinary alien before it could be considered. In effort accomplish mission, I complied, attendant disappeared into inner office, returned shortly afterwards to reply as follows:
Communists are informed by radio of matter in point and Mukden officers if they desire withdraw should make application locally. When I said had sent letter Mukden reference matter but reply un-received, attendant stated message could be forwarded by me in private capacity to Mukden officers through Alien Affairs Office if desired.
I pointed out I was under instructions Department discuss matter with high-ranking responsible official. Attendant said what he had just said constituted reply to my request. Interview refused.
In circumstances was unable present matter to responsible official that office along lines proposed Department reftel and of course did not attempt do so to petty office attendant.
Please instruct whether additional message should be sent Mukden through Alien Affairs Office along indicated lines in private capacity.
Re Department reftel. Note that Alien Affairs Office Peiping has previously repeatedly indicated it is without authority over (1) matters outside Peiping and (2) consular affairs; and it would seem that, if response petty official may be taken signify Communists have decided (1) transmit message and (2) possibly permit Mukden personnel act on it, reply still cannot be considered adequate assurance that there will be extended those Consulate officers either customary courtesies or adequate facilities for removal Government property and personal effects. There is possibility that officers by these terms would be caused remove under humiliating, at least, undignified circumstances. ReEmbtel 1231, June 7 to Department. My own recommendation would be that (1) strong representations be made [Huang] Hua, Nanking, and (2) I be authorized make representations along same lines Mao Tse-tung, Peiping. Those representations, if taking note of information received from Alien Affairs Office indicating Mukden personnel should make local applications, should make it clear that American Government unsatisfied with that reply and desires that responsible Communist authorities take appropriate action to end [Page 964] that winding up Mukden affairs shall be in accordance with requisites international law and protocol.
Re Embassy reftel. Believe that as suggested Contels 732, April 28 [30],68 and 838, May 14,69 most potent threat to be used against Communists lies ready at hand in SCAP70 control Japanese trade which can be denied Communists until they act in civilized manner. Invite attention this connection Contel 869 May 20,69 Tientsin 252, May 26 to Department.71
Sent Department; repeated Nanking 641, OffEmb Canton 154, Shanghai 648. Department pass Tientsin 59.