123 Stuart, J. Leighton: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 6—2:28 a. m.]
1442. For purposes of making test flight of Embassy plane, Air Attaché is informing local authorities that I hope to leave Nanking for US around July 15. I have had word from Chen Ming-shu that he will be in Nanking July 12–13 en route from Peiping back to Shanghai. (See Embtel 1322, June 18 to Department, repeated Canton 550, Shanghai 717.) After my conversation with him I will be ready to return to US on consultation and should like to leave between 15th and 20th this month.
Mukden affair still drags on. Fugh spoke to Huang Hua about it again last week (see Embtel 1441, July 5 to Department,77 repeated Canton 609, Shanghai 800). While latter was noncommittal, inference Fugh drew was favorable to ultimate settlement. If I could have indication from Ward within next 10 days that he were making progress with packers, skippers [shippers], transportation, I would feel that I could do little more for him here and could myself depart with some degree of satisfaction.
Since considerable planning is involved at this end and Communist inexperience, native suspicion will work toward delays, does Department approve my setting target date for departure on or about July 15? (Deptel 705, June 16, repeated telCan 342, Shanghai 1213. [)] [Page 771] If no progress Mukden, target date can be advanced from time to time. For security reason, prefer actual date of my departure be kept secret until after arrival first stop, that is Okinawa.
Sent Department, repeated OffEmb Canton 610, Shanghai 802.
- Not printed.↩