893.801/12–1349: Telegram
The Consul at Taipei (Edgar) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—12:36 a. m.]
807. Following note marked confidential delivered Dec. 12 by special commissioner for Foreign Affairs for Taiwan:
“Reference is made to a notification issued on June 20, 1949, by the [Page 1186] Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Government to the various foreign governments to the effect that the area and ports within the sphere of the territorial waters along the coast line from the mouth of Liao River in the northern part of China, i. e. 122 degrees 20 minutes east longitude and 40 degrees 30 minutes north latitude to the north of the mouth of the Min River, i. e., 119 degrees 40 minutes east longitude and 26 degrees 15 minutes north latitude, were to be temporarily closed and that the entry of foreign vessels into the territorial waters shall be strictly forbidden. In addition, the Chinese Government issued a mandate announcing that, effective June 26, 1949, at zero hour, foreign vessels violating this order shall be suppressed and that they shall assume responsibilities themselves for any consequences in case of violation of such an order.
“Subsequently, the Chinese Government repeatedly notified the various foreign governments announcing the extension of the closure area from the north of the mouth of the Min River, i. e., 119 degrees 40 minutes east longitude and 26 degrees 15 minutes north latitude, southward to the west of Tienpai hsien, i. e., 111 degrees 20 minutes east longitude and 21 degrees 30 minutes north latitude, of which the record is on file.
“The Chinese Government notes with regret that, after the closing of the aforementioned ports and territorial waters by the Chinese Government, a small number of foreign merchantmen have ignored this order and some have even met with incidents.
“In order to avoid such incidents, the Chinese Government has now decided that any American registered vessel now remaining in the above-mentioned territorial waters and ports, or their vicinities, shall be instructed promptly to leave such waters and ports within 1 week of grace beginning December 12, 1949. The military authorities of the Chinese Government will be pleased to afford such vessels safe conduct so as to avoid unnecessary risk; this does not apply to those which attempt to enter such areas.
“Ever since the proclamation of the closure of the designated ports and territorial waters the Chinese Government has time and again advised the various foreign governments that foreign vessels shall assume their own responsibilities for any consequences in case of the violation of this order. With a view to tightening this order, henceforth the Chinese Government will take such effective measures, as may be deemed necessary. Any foreign vessels which, in violation of this order, should hit any mine, sustain any damage and losses, or encounter any risk, obviously must assume responsibility themselves.
“It would be greatly appreciated if you would promptly transmit the substance of the foregoing to your government and bring the matter to the attention of the American shipping circles.”
Sent Department 807, repeated OffEmb Hong Kong 225.