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

393.1115/4–1949: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State

Nanking, April 19, 1949—4 p. m.
[Received April 19—6:16 a. m.]

793. ReDeptel 461, April 13,⁵⁸ repeated Tsingtao 104. Americans (other than official personnel and their dependents) now in Nanking are almost all engaged essential activity. Those remaining after Embassy warning last November have made their decision and we believe would be unmoved by additional warning. In light these conditions and because of important political considerations, I prefer not to issue subsequent warning to Nanking residents this time. ComNavWesPac so advised by telegraph April 14.

Embassy assumes operation plan number 786, December 20, 1948 issued by WesPac amphibious force⁵⁹ is still in effect. Under this plan which envisages emergency conditions only amphibious force undertakes establish Embassy guard and maintain naval vessel (APD) at Nanking; it provides for emergency evacuation US nationals and continued defense Govt property ashore under emergency condition D and for withdrawal or embarkation US armed shore forces for own safety under emergency condition E only as final stage entire evacuation operation. Plan further provides for naval escort and gun fire support for evacuation vessels.

In absence contrary advices from ComNavWesPac, Embassy regards cancellation Diachenko sailing as decision reached after balancing present relatively peaceful conditions Nanking against risk exchange gun fire (see ComNavWesPac 160153Z to ALUSNA⁵⁹ Nanking, repeated CNO⁶⁰).

Embassy assumes, however, that if emergency conditions contemplated by plan materialize, plan will be executed within means available to ComNavWesPac. Plan number 786 is sole existing plan for emergency evacuation Nanking and is based entirely on presence naval transport at this city.

Under plan APD at Nanking is supply and operations base for Embassy Marine guard. If APD definitely will not return Nanking even under emergency conditions specified in plan, Marine guard should be either withdrawn to Shanghai⁶¹ or reconstituted under amendment to plan as smaller group attached to ALUSNA.

Sent Dept, repeated Shanghai 396 for Admiral Badger.

Stuart

58. Not printed.
59. Not found in Department of State files.
59. Not found in Department of State files.
60. Chief of Naval Operations.
61. In telegram No. 818, April 22, 1 p. m., the Ambassador stated: “ReEmbtel 793, April 19. Except for sergeant and five enlisted men who remain as members staff Naval Attaché, entire Marine guard airlifted Shanghai April 21.”