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

195.91/2–1049: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, February 10, 1949—10 a. m.
[Received February 9—11:53 p. m.]

458. APL⁸³ ship President Fillmore due Tangku about February 18. ConGen Peiping⁸⁴ has inquired as to identity consignees and description cargo. APL Shanghai requests assistance ConGen Peiping ascertaining from Communist authorities possibility entrance Tangku and any unusual entry requirements. This may be good opportunity maneuver Communist authorities into permitting Shanghai communicate ConGen Tientsin,⁸⁵ assuming Communists are anxious for cargo to be delivered. Department may wish consider advisability requesting APL not to send ship Tangku unless master receives advance permission communicate with ConGen Tientsin and obtain shipping services normally accorded by consular officers to ships of American registry.

Sent Department, repeated office [of] Embassy [at] Canton 35. Department please pass Peiping as 33, Tientsin as 22.

Cabot

83. American President Lines.
84. O. Edmund Clubb.
85. Robert L. Smyth.