Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume VIII

123 Olive, William M.: Telegram

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

Nanking, June [July] 18, 1949—6 p. m.
[Received July 18—9:47 a. m.]

1548. Embassy has delayed making further protest to local Communist authorities over treatment Vice Consul Olive (Deptel 1382, July 11 to Shanghai) to avoid conflict with current negotiations Mr. and Mrs. Olive’s exit from China. Olive is in Nanking, his exit from China hangs in balance along with other members of Ambassador’s party awaiting exit permits and Embassy is loath to take any action at this time which might exacerbate already strained situation locally and thus prejudice Olive’s chance departing China with Ambassador. If Department concurs we prefer make protest envisaged in Department telegram under reference after Olive has left for US or after negotiations his exit have ended in failure.²¹

Sent Department 1548, repeated Shanghai 865, Dept pass Peiping 28.

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Stuart

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21. In telegram No. 846, July 19, 5 p. m., Department informed the Ambassador that it concurred in this procedure.