125.9376/5–749: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 9—6:54 a. m.]
292. Since Communist take-over Consul General has been guided by instructions contained in secret telegram from Embassy [(] believed circular telegram January 459) to refrain from taking steps which might constitute or be interpreted as recognition regime particularly to refrain from addressing either formal or informal communications to new officials. Consequently we have taken up all matters orally and informally with local officials. Conversely local officials appear to be under similar instructions since written communications addressed to local officials by your Tientsin Consular colleagues have all been returned.
Consul General however notes that Clubb at Peiping is addressing written communications to new officials and signing as American Consul General. If instructions contained in reference telegram have been amended, we would appreciate being informed as we feel that practice of two Consular Offices should be consistent.
Repeated Nanking 183, Peiping 125.
- Not found in Department of State flies.↩