125.7146/3–2449: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 24—7:16 a. m.]
475. Re Contel 462, March 23. It is of course now even probable that there will be developments within next few days affecting Peiping radio station. Therefore request prior authorization present at my discretion to Commie authorities Peiping, in best manner possible, position re Consular offices located Commie areas along lines indicated Contel 415, March 1549 and Embtel 90, March 19.50 As indicated Consulate’s reference telegram, believe this would be natural first step and such action would not prejudice other than favorably any other action US Govt might later undertake. I should propose inform Consular colleagues, for coordination our actions where possible for mutual support.
Approach would be based on assumption contained final sentence Embtel 90, that it should be made clear to Commies it is advantageous have good relations with USA (and in even greater degree than they get advantage from USSR) and disadvantageous otherwise. This CCP realization would be entering wedge for Chinese type of Titoism.
Re Contel 456, March 22,51 propose take up early date matter Deptel 60, February 3.52
Note that character Commie action re Peiping radio will of course be interesting indication Commie basic attitude re Consulates at this stage.
Chinese source informed me March 22 it was reported Commies presently negotiating with USSR for gasoline but that progress negotiations hampered by certain “conditions” set forth by Soviets as prerequisite. Nature conditions unknown.53
Repeated Nanking, Canton, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tientsin.
- Vol. ix, p. 913.↩
- Not found in Department of State files.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Vol. ix, p. 11.↩
- The Secretary of State informed the Consul General at Peiping in telegram No. 159, March 25, 9 p. m.: “Dept authorizes in ur discretion steps outlined ur 475 Mar 24 and assumes if desirable you will coordinate action with Tientsin.”↩