893.111/12–1949: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 19—2 p. m.]
5305. Consulate General would appreciate receipt of information as to Department’s policy toward issuance or renewal passports American citizens intending to enter Communist China. Question assumes some urgency because of pressing desire certain mission organizations and business firms to bring replacement personnel. Consulate General does not know of any American organization contemplating expansion at this time but several organizations are anxious bring in new personnel to take place of employees who are sick, suffering from nervous strain, due for leave or retirement or slated for duties elsewhere.
Several mission organizations in particular are feeling need for substitutes in view unusually high average age of remaining missionaries. General feeling is that unless some replacements can be brought in, passage of time will force radical curtailment mission activities even though intention is to maintain present level.
Some uncertainty exists as to whether Department is willing grant passports to replacement personnel of established American organizations [Page 1300] operating in Shanghai. A few cases of factual or proposed entry of Americans have been reported but presumably these persons have passports issued some time ago. I have told inquirers that Consulate General has no specific information on subject; knows of no blanket ban of issuance or validation of passports to American citizens intending proceed Communist China; that each case undoubtedly is examined closely and decided on its own merits. I added it was conceivable that dependent women and children would encounter more difficulty in obtaining passports than would individuals who would be employed in their own right.
Of course we have no assurance that Communists will admit American citizens in any event or that they will care whether an American passport is valid or invalid for travel to China. They seem disposed to approve after considerable delay entry applications filed on behalf of dependents of persons already resident here, and certain men with special qualifications or responsibilities.
While it would perhaps not be feasible for us to take steps to prevent travel of women and children already in possession of valid passports who may attempt to come to Shanghai, it would seem regrettable for the successful and difficult evacuation operations of a year ago and again of last September to be undone by influx of dependents and nonessential residents. There are signs that a small trickle of returning wives and small children is about to begin.
While it cannot be said that tangible immediate danger of any unusual nature exists, note that (1) lack of status of our Consulate officers which prevents extension of normal protective services to our nationals; (2) refusal of Communist courts to extend protection of any recognizable standard of law to defendants; (3) special animosity of many Communist officials toward Americans which may become more noticeable if recognition withheld for extended period; (4) frequent unwillingness of police authorities to curb unruly Chinese elements wishing to take action against foreigners; and (5) onerous restrictions on travel and on exit from the country, all point to un-desirability of bringing in dependents or persons not replacing key American personnel of stabilized American organizations and firms, at least until our position vis-à-vis this regime has been further clarified. If another evacuation in the face of formidable difficulties should become necessary, it is clear that our problems would be magnified by presence of large numbers of additional dependents.
It will be evident from foregoing that I regard with misgiving the entry of dependents and nonessential citizens. Thought perhaps should be given to the advisability of taking up the passports of all US citizens who return to US from Far East, as invalidating them for travel to Communist China, unless specifically endorsed for such travel. At same time I believe it would be the part of wisdom to facilitate entry [Page 1301] of necessary replacements in order to maintain the American position here and to take strain off American citizens holding the fort here who cannot leave until their successors arrive. An indication from the Department to this office that passport applications of such essential replacement personnel will receive favorable consideration will assist mission and business organizations in their personnel planning.