Office of the Historian

393.115/10–749: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Strong) to the Secretary of State

Hong Kong, October 7, 1949—6 p. m.
[Received October 11—12:15 a. m.]

Cantel 1175. Reference telCan 708, September 30. Following verbal statement by Chief of Foreign Office American Section assisted by civilian liaison between Foreign Office on Chinese Navy was made to Embassy October 3; aide-mémoire in almost identical terms will be handed Embassy when completed:

  • “(1) Flying Trader on inbound passage to Shanghai was intercepted by Chinese Navy and advised not to proceed to Shanghai on grounds of Nationalist Government closure order and after being intercepted changed course of navigation.
  • “(2) Flying Independent and Flying Clipper on outward passage from Shanghai were intercepted by Chinese Navy on following grounds:
    • “(a) Enforcement of closure order;
    • “(b) Since vessels entered Shanghai on bad faith, alleging that an agreement had been reached between Chinese and US Governments for these vessels to replace General Gordon for evacuation Americans, they were informed by Chinese Government through American Embassy prior to departure from Shanghai that vessels would be allowed leave Shanghai provided they carried neither passengers nor cargoes and that otherwise they would have to be responsible for any eventuality;
    • “(c) Vessels on leaving Shanghai carried both passengers and cargoes and refused return Shanghai unload cargoes as requested by Chinese Navy.
  • “(3) All three vessels were intercepted at very mouth of Yangtze River.
  • “(4) Owing to rough seas, masters requested on October 1 to be allowed move to safer area. They were permitted same day proceed to Chusan and are now in safe anchorage at Chingtau Island.
  • “(5) Chinese Government will release both vessels with passengers on board as a favor as soon as they comply with either of following conditions:
    • “(a) Return to Shanghai to unload cargoes and accepting no new passengers; or
    • [“] (b) Cargoes on board are disposed of (by jettison).”

Reference previous Cantels today, Foreign Office states masters now refuse sign any document although they initiated request for one connection jettisoning and refuse comply with Nationalist conditions; Chinese Navy thinks Chingtau not safe enough and suggests ships be moved elsewhere but masters not agree; Chinese Government still willing sign document but it must include statements that vessels refused return Shanghai to discharge cargoes, and that vessels were informed prior departure not to load these cargoes on board [which?] were necessarily disposed of; Chinese Navy headquarters Tinghai on own responsibility after interception released vessels to enter Shanghai.

I remarked that US Government does not recognize “closure” order, that US Government after full investigation had knowledge that vessels did not purport to be replacing Gordon or refer to agreement between Chinese and US Governments, and that it seemed peculiar that Chinese Navy would release vessels to enter Shanghai without referring to Chinese Government at Canton.

On latter point Foreign Office representatives declared Navy no doubt thought Chinese Government clearance was delayed, that in case of Gordon, Navy received clearance only 12 hours before ship reached Yangtze mouth; also said Chinese Navy had most friendly feeling toward US Navy and relying on that sentiment in releasing ships on faith.

Sent Department Cantel 1175; repeated Shanghai 559; Taipei 190, by hand Hong Kong.

Strong