119.2/12–1449: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 14—6:07 a. m.]
5211. In conversation on December 10 (ConGentel 5200, Dec. 1367) Cheng Kang-chi told ConGen local Communist authorities acutely aware of existence of ConGen radio and have devoted much thought to question whether they should seal it. Cheng assured ConGen he had used his influence to insure retention our radio facilities. He said he reminded them that operation of radios for official purposes by foreign service establishments of principal power had sanction of long usage and general acceptance. He informed officials studying question that it was customary for American diplomatic and consular offices in various parts of world to operate their own transmitters and receivers. He said American foreign service enjoyed this privilege throughout Latin America (ConGen believes he is mistaken about this).
[Page 1299]Cheng said he also observed that closure of ConGen radio at this time when consulates have no diplomatic pouch privileges and no air mail service would in his opinion so cripple ConGen that it might be closed. Cheng told them that silencing of ConGen would be further exacerbating factor in Chinese Communist relations with US and might farther retard recognition prospects.
ConGen remarked to Cheng that he might also bear in mind that when there was anything favorable to report about record of this regime it went in without bias.
Cheng says authorities are aware of existence of British and French radio sets but think of problem mainly in terms of relations with US.
Cheng confident high level decision has been reached not to molest foreign government radios for present. He believes that during period nonrecognition same position will be taken towards radios all three Governments in all three cities where they are located, namely Shanghai, Peiping and Nanking. He thinks US foreign service radios would be placed in more precarious position if either Britain or France recognizes without similar action on our part. Radios nonrecognizing foreign governments might be banned once united western front as to recognition is broken.