Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East: China, Volume VIII

393.1115/10–2348: Telegram

The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State

Tientsin, October 23, 1948—10 a.m.
[Received October 23—3:25 a.m.]

296. [To Embassy:] Tight commercial shipping from Tientsin, prompts ConGen repeat request (ourtel 532, October 20⁹¹) Embassy arrange with US Navy for US LSTs to accept at Tientsin for shipment to Tsingtao or Shanghai effects American citizens Tientsin and Peiping. Also if possible arrange transportation American citizens or their effects via Navy transport from Tsingtao to US. Alternative would be arrange US vessel call at Tsingtao pick up effects taken there by LSTs. Such arrangement would encourage and expedite departure Americans who, if unable send effects through present inadequate commercial channels, might not leave. Please adviser soonest if arrangement feasible in order Americans informed.

Sent Nanking 540, repeated Department 296, Peiping.

Smyth

91. Sent to the Department as telegram No. 292, p. 854.