811.3393/3–1749: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
Nanking, March 17,
1949—3 p. m.
[Received 11:29 p. m.]
[Received 11:29 p. m.]
593. [To Tsingtao:] Your 90, March 2, repeated Department 105.
- 1.
- Our uniform policy has been to include designated foreign nationals space available basis whenever evacuation Americans occurs. Ambassador designating authority but delegates authority to ranking consular officer on spot who should consult Navy re space available before designating foreigners. All should clearly understand priority given Americans.
- 2.
- We consider plan return evacuees ashore after temporary stay on ships impractical due uncertainty whether Communists would agree to landing foreigners from US Navy ships. Best course would seem evacuate to other Chinese port probably Shanghai if still available. However, in view Tientsin, Peiping experience, we do not anticipate last minute evacuation those persons who have refused earlier opportunities to leave exception likely event heavy fighting or widespread anti-foreign rioting.
- 3.
- We do not contemplate evacuation Chinese. Their removal from one part China to another no absolute guarantee their ultimate safety from Communists and might even result in more severe treatment should Communists take them later. We have so informed Embassy Chinese Staff and with few exceptions all decided remain Nanking.
Sent Tsingtao 39, repeated Department 593, ComNavWesPac for info.
Stuart