125.9532: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Hawthorne) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 7—8:30 a. m.]
481. Re mytels 316, July 5, reporting loss fuel stockpile, 394, July 30 [August 3], reporting certain present and anticipated difficulties of ConGen, and 459, August 30, re Communists’ attitude toward ITS Government property.
Believe it will be impossible obtain fuel for office and residences for coming winter absence some sort recognition or agreement on high level, if factories given preference in purchasing fuel. Any case diesel will not be available for heating ConGen and house at 1 First Taiping [Page 1144] Church Road and heating systems these properties must be converted to coal, but Department seems reluctant grant even $100 for repair upkeep Government buildings (see mytel 356, July 2110 which, together with all other telegrams requesting additional funds, remains unanswered). Without such recognition or agreement believe US Government properties will be taken over in not distant future. Also that it will continue to be impossible for ConGen contact any responsible Communist official [garble] departure Americans who have resigned or have been granted premature home leave. Owing present conditions, American business community will consist of 4 men, none representing American firms.
Morale my American staff suffering from general feeling frustration, shared by me, departures personnel other friends and narrowing recreational facilities.
Department pass Nanking its discretion.
- Not printed.↩