125.3516/5–2946: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 29—12:08 p.m.]
883. Inability of Embassy to communicate with Benninghoff, Dairen (ReDeptel 188, May 2325) has been taken up with Commander Seventh Fleet by General Marshall in following message:
“Embassy has been unable communicate with Consul General Benninghoff, Dairen for more than month through apparent unwillingness Soviet authorities extend communication facilities to him at Dairen. Our Embassy, Moscow has received message from Benninghoff in Russian language in which he requests Washington be informed that local authorities Dairen will permit arrival Dairen of American freighter exclusively for purpose delivering diplomatic courier and consular personnel on conditions observance formalities undertaken in connection with Benninghoff’s original arrival. I would appreciate your views as regards arranging necessary facilities to transport from Shanghai to Dairen USIS radio equipment and necessary operating personnel.”
Sent Dept 883, repeated Shanghai 369.
- Not printed.↩