393.1115/8–649: Telegram

The Consul at Shanghai ( McConaughy ) to the Secretary of State

3074. ConGen concerned over difficulties obtaining exit permits for official personnel and other Americans, Shanghai. Member staff applying [Page 1284] today at Foreign Affairs Department of Shanghai MCC for permit informed would not accept application until shipping resumed. When applicant stated she had reservation General Gordon latter half September, was asked what made her so sure Gordon would come here and Department still refused consider application. No Consular staff member definitely assured exit permit. Closest is Vice Consul Peaslee who applied Foreign Affairs Department June 17, finally referred to Bureau Public Security (police) July 8, required produce his guarantee and told permit available when he could supply exact date departure and means of travel. Late July Peaslee called at Bureau Public Security, told must advertise twice in one Chinese language, one English language newspaper that he departing and applying to Bureau Public Security for exit permit. Again assured when date departure known, boat or plane, could pick up permit within 1 day. No certainty that exit permit actually would be forthcoming and no means apply pressure obtain permit. Peaslee’s June 17 application requested alternate means of exit via Tientsin but in mid-July Bureau Public Security stated (with approval Foreign Affairs Department) exit from China only permissible for him directly from Shanghai since “no reason go to another port to leave China” despite fact Peaslee had definite letter of booking on ship departing Tientsin. After considerable inquiry in which Peaslee was informed Kmt and imperial[ist?] blockade reason he can’t leave Shanghai, that local authorities were not preventing him from leaving but not reasonable go Tientsin to leave since Shanghai [a] port, finally Bureau Public Security clerk stated reason he could not go Tientsin was “there are many agents of organizations unfriendly to New China”. Others of ConGen applying exit at various stages lengthy process.

ConGen feels real possibility refuse exit various foreigners Shanghai until blockade broken completely.

Sent Department, repeated Nanking 1704, Embassy Canton 954.

McConaughy