701.0093/4–2449: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 24—1:36 a. m.]
851. At meeting Chiefs of Mission North Atlantic Community last week question our position under Communist local regime discussed. It was considered desirable that representatives of North Atlantic Community, if possible, of all other countries maintaining Missions here, follow similar line of conduct vis-à-vis new authorities. It was suggested and generally agreed that after establishment Communist regime Nanking each Mission would send representative to highest local authority notifying him of existence of Chief of Mission and his staff in Nanking and handing him list of Government owned or occupied properties. Only point of discussion which we agreed to refer to our Governments for decision was whether representative should be diplomatic officer or consular officer. Since relations with local authorities are generally carried on by consular officer and since no question of recognition is necessarily involved in contacts between consular officers and local de facto authorities, it was argued that each Mission should use consular officer as its spokesman. On other side it was argued that consular officers had received short shrift in North China from Communists; that Diplomatic Corps was something new for Communists and they should therefore be approached on diplomatic level and that communication to them would merely be notification of Diplomatic Mission’s presence in Nanking and where its properties were, with no request for recognition, contact et cetera. Those in favor this position pointed out that this would not preclude usual approach by local consular officers on protection of foreign residents, their property, et cetera.
If Department has any suggestions or considers question approach by consular or diplomatic officer important, I would be grateful for immediate guidance. Since I have three officers with consular commissions (Bacon,40 Clough,41 and Cory42), I can easily use one of them which is what I have normally done when communicating with municipal administration in past.
Sent Department 851, repeated OffEmb Canton 297.