125.953/7–2949: Telegram

The Ambassador in China ( Stuart ) to the Secretary of State

1642. In view impossibility effective representation for protection American interests, possible future hardship and danger for staff and probable impossibility sending replacements from outside Commie China prior to recognition, recommend consideration be given to closing Tsingtao and Hankow now and Canton when threatened by Commies. (See Embtel 1639, July 2890) Tsingtao now of relatively little importance either from point of reporting or American interests. Hankow more important, but unless replacement can be sent for Callanan within reasonable time and junior language officer assigned from Peiping to permit increase reporting output, we see no advantage to retaining office there. Canton could be closed at time Embassy office withdraws to Hong King in face Commie advance and its reporting functions assumed by one or two officers, preferably Chinese language, assigned Hong Kong with sole duty procuring, analyzing and reporting information on developments South China.

If Department decides to close offices in Commie China, Embassy requests that male personnel these offices suitable for code and file work, disbursing officer, and guards be transferred Nanking since very unlikely personnel assigned Nanking but not arrived will be permitted entry.

If Department decides against closing ConGen Canton ahead of Commie occupation and despite recent experiences our Consulates elsewhere Commie-occupation areas, then recommend, in addition to above, that our personnel now Hong Kong (Scott, Carter, Vasque, Ryan and Clore en route Nanking and Dawson returning to Shanghai from leave and Finnegan now in Canton) move to Canton immediately so they can be captured with city and proceed Nanking and Shanghai when transportation Canton to north reopens.

Sent Department 1642, repeated Shanghai 914, Canton 691.

Stuart
  1. Post, p. 1304.