Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East: China, Volume VIII

701.4193/9–149: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Jones) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, September 1, 1949—8 p. m.
[Received September 2—3:37 a. m.]

1979. Further information re future British Embassy Nanking (see Embtel 1913, August 27, to Department, repeated Embassy Canton 805):

Upon departure of Minister Lamb (sailing on SS General Gordon end of September) and Ambassador Stevenson (who presently plans depart Nanking after fall of Canton), British Embassy Nanking will be headed by Minister Hutchison (presently Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs stationed in Shanghai). Military Attaché with rank of Lieutenant Colonel plans remain; NA,⁷² however, departing on Gordon. Retention of relatively large Embassy staff Nanking explained on basis that Embassy acts as personnel reservoir for all China; that Peiping office is greatly understaffed having only one consular officer (newly arrived) and one clerk.

Re future Indian Embassy Nanking, Indian Ambassador⁷³ admitted for first time that he expects remain Nanking until after formation Communist government and probably until establishment relations therewith. While Panikkar’s instructions are sufficiently broad that they permit him to depart whenever he considers it appropriate, he informed me in confidence that Nehru’s⁷⁴ oral instructions to him were to “stick it out as long as possible”. On this basis Panikkar feels that unless life Nanking becomes quite intolerable for him and staff he should and will remain. There is possibility that his instructions may be modified, however, following Acheson–Bevin’s conversations Washington.⁷⁵ Panikkar admitted that Indian Government’s attitude would be influenced by results those conversations on China policy.

Sent Department, repeated OffEmb Canton 813, Shanghai 1074, London 14, New Delhi 11.

Jones

72. Naval Attaché.
73. K. M. Panikkar.
74. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indian Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs.
75. For documentation regarding conversations between the Secretary of State and the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, see vol. ix, pp. 1 ff.