693.00231/10–2146: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)
Washington, October 21,
1946—7 p.m.
908. For General Marshall. Navy Dept has pointed out that Adm Cooke’s proposal described your 1653 represents departure from previous procedure in that he contemplates use of Navy ships rather than unarmed merchant vessels as in past. We and Navy agree this would probably result in refusal of entry and would be undesirable because Dairen theoretically is commercial port and we have refused Soviet naval vessels entry to American commercial ports. Your comments on this phase of question would also be appreciated.
Byrnes