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

393.1115/8–1649: Telegram

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

Shanghai, August 16, 1949—4 p. m.
[Received August 16—6:09 a. m.]

3257. Re Cantel 938, August 13 [14,]²² attitude Nationalist Government toward General Gordon entry Shanghai. Important we know at earliest possible moment terms and conditions to be imposed on Gordon or other evacuation ship. Term “repatriation vessel” used reftel needs close definition. If Nationalists have in mind giving safe conduct only to specially chartered vessels which will come here empty and take out only passengers proceeding directly to US more or less à la Gripsholm of 1942–43,^22a our present unremitting efforts bring in Gordon and other ships on regular runs are probably wasted.

We are working in dark until we know nature contemplated Nationalist safe conduct.

Sent Department, repeated OffEmb Canton 1014, Nanking 1776.

McConaughy

22. Vol. viii, “Successive moves of the Embassy Office in China …”.
23. See Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. i, pp. 411 ff., and ibid., 1943, vol. i, pp. 73 ff.