702.0093/12–2949: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 29—9:40 a. m.]
5442. Italian Consul General Rossi, with mild support from a few colleagues, continues to press for collective action by Consular body to obtain some measure of relief for foreign community from stifling effects of Nationalist blockade of port of Shanghai. Rossi argues that various communities of Western nationals here look to their Consuls, as in certain sense leaders of their respective communities, for effective action, and are inclined to blame them for inaction. He is also motivated by extreme urgency of cases several foreign nationals trying to leave Shanghai whose cases considered urgent on medical, financial, psychological or family grounds. Rossi is also guided to some extent by desire to infuse new life into Shanghai Consular body, which is relatively inactive in face of animosity and non-acceptance by local authorities and the somewhat negative leadership of senior Consul, who is Swiss Consul General A. Koch. Rossi recognizes that the unique position enjoyed by Consular body during extraterritorial days cannot be restored, but he believes that a positive and imaginative step aimed at obtaining a measure of relief from blockade would regain at least a shadow of the past glory of the Consular body and strengthen the prestige of the corps with the local authorities and with the foreign communities.
Accordingly, Rossi has induced Koch to call special meeting of Consular body for January 5, for purpose of considering a resolution that those responsible for blockade be approached with view to effecting some relaxation as humanitarian gesture. A resolution along these lines sufficiently circumspect to avoid offending either side, while it would in itself achieve no tangible results, would do no harm and [Page 1189] might exert a somewhat useful indirect influence. If properly drafted, it would also tend to put the problem in better perspective by bringing out the joint responsibility of the two contending factions for the plight of the foreign community here.
I should appreciate instructions not later than January 3, Washington time, as to whether I should vote at meeting of Consular body on January 5 in favor of discreetly worded non-controversial resolution pointing to need of travel means for foreign nationals desirous of leaving China and recommending extension of Good Offices by all authorities concerned to facilitate legitimate travel such foreigners (see ConGentel 5441, December 2927).