125.3516/10–1746: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 18—1:30 a.m.]
1684. Personal message from Benninghoff September 4 expresses strong dissatisfaction with situation Dairen where he has remained since April 7. He states: “Present situation is only little better than internment of 1942.42 We have radio and get around town a bit but aside from that we are as cut off from rest of world as we were in Tokyo 4 years ago. Aside from the above we are doing all right. There is plenty of food, both that which we brought and that which is available here.” At time of writing he had received only one message through Soviet channels and had received only one incoming mail in 5 months (second being that mentioned Shanghai’s 1849, September 27,43 nearly 6 months after his arrival Dairen).
Department will recall (Embassy’s telegram 1020, June 21) Embassy recommended Department give consideration advisability requesting Navy send ship periodically to Dairen. Even though Embassy considers that present communications situation renders Dairen practically useless and that Benninghoff’s isolation should not be allowed to continue, it does not consider that solution to situation lies [Page 1188] in withdrawing Consulate. Situation has been discussed with General Marshall and Admiral Cooke, during the latter’s recent visit to Nanking, and both are in agreement that efforts should be made to provide regular courier facilities for Benninghoff. Admiral Cooke has indicated his willingness to provide vessel and the details of his proposal have been communicated to the Department in 1653 to Colonel Carter.44
Embassy strongly recommends that Department again take up with Soviet Government the question of permitting Benninghoff the use of radio communicating facilities which have already been established for him at Dairen in addition to pressing for regular courier service by United States naval vessels.
Sent Department 1684; Shanghai as 652.