195.91/9–1549: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—2:32 p. m.]
Cantel 1100. Reference telCan 661, September 9, repeated Shanghai 1839, and Cantel 1092, September 13, repeated Shanghai 534. Foreign Office states willing omit inspection of Gordon and will accept master’s affidavit reference cargo and passengers and intention to observe all agreed conditions. However, conditions number two now [Page 1341] stated to refer to necessity for Chinese naval pilots in view of presence of mine field off Yangtze through which there is navigable, but constantly altered, channel. Chinese naval vessel required to escort in order to take off pilots before Gordon proceeds up river. Foreign Office stated had no previous knowledge that boarding of ship mentioned in condition two was something apart from inspection required by condition four.
Whole of foregoing seems unworthy of credence. I advised Foreign Office that, if mine field given as reason for escort, Gordon almost certainly would not make proposed trip, that owners would not wish risk vessel, and that insurance companies would not cover vessel. I also predicated [predicted] that recriminations would be severe in the wake of any cancelation of trip, and that bulk would fall on Nationalist Government.
Regarding other points, Foreign Office believed willing forego right of inspection outward from Shanghai on basis previous affidavit from master, and not consider US government guarantee correctness of affidavit, but still insists no commercial cargo to be loaded out of Shanghai.
All of foregoing reported to local APL office evening September 14. Reference telCan 665, September 12,64 substance of Cantel 1092 given verbally to local APL office evening September 12. In each instance APL head office in US notified at once by commercial cable by local office. This done in attempt speed communication of vital information to APL Headquarters.
Sent Department Cantel 1100, repeated Shanghai 536, Taipei 164.
- Not printed.↩