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

893.801/6–1749: Telegram

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

Shanghai, June 17, 1949—5 p. m.
[Received June 17—8:43 a. m.]

2331. Re Cantel 597 to Department, while am not familiar resources Nationalist Government may have to enforce air and sea blockade all Commie-held ports, sincerely doubt these adequate make any such blockade effective.

Would appreciate some indication from Department of line it proposes to adopt if such blockade declared and proves ineffective.

Re Shanghai, I imagine fairly effective sea blockade could be established as the apparently imaginary mining of Yangtze has shown. In any case, heavy war risk insurance rates and small amount of business available may discourage many vessels from entering Shanghai.

Sent Department 2331, repeated OffEmb Canton 735, Nanking 1230.

Cabot