893.48/8–549
The British Embassy to the Department of State 53
Substance of Telegram Received From Foreign Office on August 4th
supplies for shanghai
Please inform the State Department that as soon as we hear that they are prepared to take broadly similar action we propose to instruct [Page 1126] Mr. Coghill to approach the Chinese National Government on the following lines.
The Chinese Government are aware of our views on their attempts to close certain Communist-held ports to shipping. But entirely without prejudice to our views on the illegality of the action taken by the Chinese Government, which views remain unchanged, we hope that they will be prepared to give undertakings not to interfere with certain specific ships which it is proposed should shortly proceed to Shanghai for the dual purpose of evacuating foreign residents and carrying relief supplies. The mission of these vessels would be entirely humanitarian. The cargoes would consist of essential supplies notably rice and fuel. Full details of the vessels involved and the cargoes to be carried would be communicated in each individual case.
- Handed to Mr. Sprouse by the Counselor of the British Embassy (Meade) on August 5.↩