793.00/1–650: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 6, 1950—1:17 p. m.]
93. Re Deptel 2519, December 3 [30]. Consular Body meeting to consider relief for foreign community from effects blockade. With assistance from Canadian colleague and others I was able to steer discussion at meeting January 5 so as to avoid any mention of issue of general relaxation of blockade. Also used my influence to have a minute as to sense of meeting entered in records as substitute for formal resolution.
Minute as drafted by committee of three including myself and unanimously approved by Consular Body read as follows:
“The discussion of resolution proposed by Dr. Rossi regarding plight of foreigners in Shanghai due to closure of port, made it clear that all members of Consular Body were gravely concerned over this problem and had been keeping their governments fully informed. It was agreed that minutes should record gratification which Consular Body felt at assurances given by members that they would continue represent to their governments urgent need of securing from authorities concerned assurance that provision would be made for foreigners in Shanghai freely to leave country, and for medical and other relief supplies to be brought in.”
This would appear to meet Department’s stipulations contained in reftel and will enable each consul to inform his government that gravity of problem is confirmed by unanimous endorsement of this statement by Consular Body.
Reference last sentence to “authorities concerned” aimed more at Communist regime than Nationalists since Communists could readily provide relief if they wished to do so by permitting rail travel from Shanghai to Tientsin and/or Canton from which points transportation out of China is available. Assumption is that diplomatic and consular representatives of recognizing governments will soon be able to make effective representations to Communist authorities re exit of all foreign nationals desiring to leave, including those owing allegiance to nonrecognizing governments.