393.1115/8–1849: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Shanghai (McConaughy)
1668. Reurtels 3321 and 3322 Aug. 18. You will now have read Canton’s 991 Aug 19 rpted Shanghai 507 Nanking 643, which indicates restricted nature importations Chinese Gov would permit if assurance safety of vessel is to be secured. In lending assistance withdrawal efforts by Americans, aim Dept and field offices should be directed to evacuation as many Americans as can obtain exit permits. While it recognized [Page 1307] that imports rice and other supplies in sufficient quantity to meet needs entire foreign community wld be highly helpful, question of quantity shld not be allowed to become an obstruction to entry of vessels. Present operation arises from demand Americans and other foreigners to leave China and has not involved question of imports to sustain business activity. Imports for specific purpose extricating Americans wld appear be subject to whatever limits Natl Govt finally placed on those imports.
Fifth para urtel 3322 re “Chamber assurances re delivery stranded cargoes by evacuation ships” not clear, but wld appear be attempt at commitment as to nature and quantity cargo to be carried by incoming ships. In this connection Dept particularly desires ConGen take no steps which might encourage Commie auths to believe large quantities can be imported, in view lack of assurance this can be done. Any encouragement this end might lead to even greater Commie demands. We believe you shld make clear to Amer Assn, Chamber of Commerce and APL agent that there is no reason for being sanguine that large-scale supplies will be brought in.
Re third and fourth para your 3321 Dept does not intend ConGen take responsibility for import arrangements; it must be made plain Gordon is not a repatriation ship but a commercial vessel making a call subject to such practical arrangements as can be made by shipping company and passengers. Arrangement for purchase and shipment supplies at outside port would be responsibility interested persons, but relationship of character and quantity any such imports to problem of specific Nat approval vessel’s call must be recognized. You may wish consider suggesting to American Association it may want to act as collection point for all import orders desired to be placed by Americans and brought in by Gordon, thereby enabling you inform Off Emb for communication to Nats nature and size expected cargo. Amer Assn may also wish coordinate its efforts this regard with other national groups.
Dept has question entry Pres Wilson in mind, although its available space Shanghai will likely be small, APL informs us.