393.1115/8–2449: Telegram
The Consul at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 24—5:24 a. m.]
3412. ReCantel 1001, August 22, repeated Nanking 650, Taipei 139. ConGen earnestly hopes no stone will be left unturned bring in General [Page 1311] Gordon. Substitution specially chartered ship sent out empty for repatriation use exclusively would have serious drawbacks:
- 1.
- Inevitable long delay when time may be of essence.
- 2.
- Heavy added expense.
- 3.
- Probable antipathetic attitude part Communist authorities with no assurance that they would agree far in advance to entry purely evacuation ship.
Gordon, being a transport, places little emphasis on cargo, capacity maximum 2350 measurement tons most of which will be taken up with mails, baggage and household effects of passengers. Ship expected have little thru cargo when it enters Shanghai. Communists did not molest thru cargo American and other foreign ships which entered Shanghai before blockade and there is no reason believe illegal interference with cargo not consigned Shanghai would take place.
Believe that if Gordon now withdrawn after Communist authorities have received and now processing large number applications for exit permits naming that ship their reaction would be most unfavorable since little doubt they would consider call cancelled at instance US Government and their attitude toward entry next passenger ship would be at least unsympathetic. Effect on morale of disappointed persons unable leave Shanghai and on rest of foreign community would be adverse. To facilitate Communist cooperation, APL particularly desirous load at least token shipments of cargo Hong Kong to Shanghai (APL suggests commodities approved by Nationalists could be selected from cargo consigned Shanghai and discharged Hong Kong from previous APL ships).
If Nationalists will permit shipment crated household effects departing foreigners, it is estimated there is sufficient tonnage such effects to fill all space not taken by baggage and mail.
Cantel 1009, repeated Shanghai 514, Nanking 652, August 23,35 seen after foregoing drafted.
Downs, local agent APL, convinced company does not intend cancel call Gordon at Shanghai. APL Frisco already accepting payment some Shanghai passengers.
Sent Department, repeated Nanking 1826, Canton 1035.
- Not printed.↩