123 Stuart, J. Leighton: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 14—3:14 a. m.]
1526. Feel I must advise Department I am running into difficulties obtaining exit permits myself and party and warn that I may not be able to depart on 18th as planned. Exit permit forms were available to us only July 11. They provide for “shop guarantee” (guarantee by local commercial firm that departing foreigner leaves behind no debts, unpaid taxes, civil or criminal charge pending and also guarantor assumes liability for any unlawful act committed by person leaving China during period prior to his actual departure). We have assumed this would not be required of myself and my party all of whom are members of Embassy. Communist authorities however are insisting on this point as well, at least with respect to other members of my party, and we have over past 24 hours made discreet inquiries among local banks and Embassy contractors to ascertain if they would act as guarantors for Cabot, Hinderer, Air Attaché and members of crew, thus far without success. We have now inquired if American firm, such as Socony-Vacuum, CalTex, etc., would be acceptable and have had no reply from Aliens Affairs Office. With respect to myself, Huang Hua said he would waive requirement to extent of not requiring “shop guarantee” but “personal guarantee of some friend”. I inferred Huang himself would sign as my guarantor which would in effect be waiving of this requirement.
I have not reported this complication earlier hoping that it would be treated as formality and not develop into major issue. However, as only 3 days remain before my intended departure I am becoming more concerned that we might be unable to find any local guarantors for members of my party and that even in my case requirement will not be waived as I had originally understood. Fugh has been unable to get in touch with Huang Hua for past 2 days to discuss this and other less important matters concerned with my departure. Thus we are unable to get to anyone in authority. I assume Department will agree that I should not comply with Communists’ request for guarantor, personal or otherwise, if Huang Hua himself does not undertake [Page 786] this formality. On other hand Department might consider my departure on schedule and avoidance of further complications with Communist authorities sufficiently desirable to authorize member of my staff remaining Nanking to act as guarantor for us all. I am not at all sure that this would be acceptable.
Unless instructed to contrary and if feasible locally I shall proceed with obtaining of “shop guarantees” for other members my party which I have hopes will result in more lenient attitude toward my own application for exit. I should be very grateful for Department’s guidance earliest and shall report developments this regard promptly.
Sent Department; repeated Canton 638, Shanghai 857.