125.633/9–2349: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 23—10:07 a. m.]
1601. Following communications dated September 22 dispatched today to PLA C-in-C Chu Teh re matter evacuation Mukden consular staff and property.
“Acting under instructions of US Government, by letter of May 19, 1949 this ConGen informed general headquarters PLA that due to imposition by Chinese Communist authorities of arbitrary and unreasonable restrictions on American ConGen at Mukden, my Government was withdrawing its staff from and closing its consular office in that city. It was requested that transportation and other facilities be provided to enable consular staff with personal and official effects to depart from Communist-controlled areas via Tientsin or Peiping.
American ConGen at Mukden, Mr. Angus I. Ward, was appropriately instructed by American Department of State. Mukden authorities, through director of Alien Affairs office, on June 21 informed Mr. Ward that he and his staff would be permitted to depart Mukden with moveable property and that upon presentation of lists of staff and property to be evacuated, railway transportation would be provided. Mr. Ward was asked to designate departure date for staff and property.
Mr. Ward on July 19 notified authorities that 13 of his staff were prepared to depart on July 27, others remained behind until there had been completed arrangements for packing and shipment of effects.
Request was renewed on August 12 with departure date fixed for August 17 [as?] transportation facilities were in fact not provided. On September 3 after completion of packing Mr. Ward sent formal letter to mayor of Mukden requesting rail transportation to Peiping and Tientsin for himself and staff and dependents, excepting persons left behind in custodial capacity, with their baggage and American Government property.
To date facilities have not been provided by Mukden authorities. It is appreciated that there was extended interruption in Peiping rail communications in August to September due to flood damage but it is also understood that breaks have now been repaired and normal traffic resumed; there thus can be no further reason for failure to provide requested facilities for travel of American consular personnel in question.
Department of State has again instructed Mr. Ward to take steps to obtain from local authorities necessary facilities for immediate departure from Mukden. US Government fully expects Chinese Communist authorities, in accordance with international law and practice, to provide facilities which would enable him to comply with instruction. [Page 980] In view of delays and difficulties which have attended making of arrangements heretofore, however, I am instructed to bring this matter to your attention with request that you take appropriate measures to cause Mukden authorities to extend promptly transport facilities required for removal from Mukden of personnel of American ConGen at Mukden and their personal and official effects. Your prompt action to this end would be much appreciated.”