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

393.115/11–849: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Strong)⁹

Washington, November 16, 1949—4 p. m.

TelCan 756. Request you seek urgently appointment with FonMin and inform him orally of reported attack made on Flying Cloud by Chi Navy gunboat on Nov 15 in mouth Yangtze (Shanghai’s unnumbered tel Nov 15, rptd Chungking telCan 757). Inform FonMin that US Gov is now collecting all facts concerning attack. However, in line with US Gov’s attitude as expressed to FonMin on Nov 7 (telCan 745, Nov 5, Cantel 1265, Nov 8), regardless of circumstances the US Gov regards any attack on Amer vessels with the gravest concern. Inform FonMin that US Gov will hold ChiGov responsible for any violation of internatl law, and that, depending on the circumstances, US Gov wld expect to hold the ChiGov fully responsible for any harm to Amer citizens or damage to Amer property which may have resulted from action of Chi Navy.

Acheson

9. Repeated to the Consul General at Shanghai as No. 2274 and to the Consul General at Taipei as No. 465.