Office of the Historian

811.3393/3–249: Telegram

The Consul at Tsingtao (Strong) to the Secretary of State

Tsingtao, March 2, 1949—11 a. m.
[Received March 2—5:01 a. m.]

105. [To Nanking:] Reference emergency planning mutuality believed achieved with US Naval forces except:

(1)
Consul General believes protection whether ashore or afloat should be granted all non-Asiatics who desire it plus Filipinos; of some 800 such persons expected reside here should emergency arise, believe only small percentage seek refuge; Consul General desires lay plan aid them do so. Naval forces concept calls for sanctuary ashore for Americans plus other designated foreigners (designating authority unnamed) who may appear at concentration point; reluctant take other than American aboard.
(2)
Consul General feels duration emergency would be brief, those placed afloat for safety to be allowed return ashore thereafter if so [Page 1233] desire whether in ship’s boats or in boats provided from shore by Consul General; consider return of Americans would promote US interests; most Americans remaining here have chosen accept Communist rule. Naval concept envisages evacuation from area following embarkation.
(3)
Moral obligation exists evacuation ECA Chinese staff imported from Shanghai whose presence here essential until last moment. Plans should specifically include authority embark said ECA Chinese certified by Consul General. Plans now exclude all Chinese.
(4)
Embassy please note paragraph 3 X 4 page 4 AQ 5 ComNavWesPac OP order 2–49.46 Believe this paragraph not fit situation Tsingtao where intended withdraw rather than engage in combat.

Admiral Badger stated earlier he expects retain several vessels Tsingtao even after given up as main fleet station and previous acceptance by Rear Admiral Rees of return of civilians ashore after order restored would, barring the unexpected, such as extended period disorder or need for naval vessels elsewhere or threat by Communist to US vessels, appear indicate needs of local foreigners as visualized by Consul General can be met.

Would appreciate Embassy’s comment and clarification.

Navy and Marine officers concerned have been most friendly, cooperative re plans.

Sent Nanking 90, repeated Department 105.

Strong
  1. Not found in Department of State files.↩