125.714/8–1849: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Peiping (Clubb)
568. In view proposed staff reductions other China posts Depcirtel Aug 15, 7 a. m., and urtel 1391 Aug 18,13 Dept had hoped be able transfer to Peiping from other posts surplus personnel not due statutory leave or available assignment new posts. However, appears no present possibility obtaining travel permits authorizing travel such personnel from central to north China or permits for entry into China of new personnel and only source additional personnel for Peiping this time wld be Mukden and Tientsin. Mukden staff being ordered return US and Tientsin being instructed reduce staff by attrition through permitting departure personnel on statutory leave. In view foregoing wld appear only means keeping Peiping staff up to strength wld be through assignment language officers to ur office as they finish their courses. Ur comments requested.14
For your info, Dept planning close Dairen, Tsingtao and Hankow in near future and withdraw US personnel as transportation facilities available. Kunming and Chungking have been authorized close and withdraw Amer personnel prior to Commie take-over those cities. Tihwa being closed and personnel now withdrawing.
With departure Min-Counselor Clark when Canton falls Dept desires you assume responsibility for over-all appraisal China scene, rather than restriction to ur consular district or north China, in reporting polit developments. This appears particularly desirable in view increasing importance Peiping as center Commie polit activity. In this connection, ur tels have been extremely helpful to Dept and have been of uniformly outstanding quality.