121.67/12–2346: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 23—9:43 a.m.]
2538. Following message received from Spiker49 at Tsingtao:
86. December 22, 9 a.m. Diplomatic courier Ball returned from Dairen yesterday evening with memo from Consul General Benninghoff [Page 1195] reporting that Jesse Poole, Standard Vacuum oil representative, was not permitted to land in Dairen with courier although cleared by the American Consulate General, Shanghai, which has been handling courier arrangements. Permits to land also refused William Newton, Scripps-Howard representative, and Mark Kaufman, photographer for Life, who were taken to Dairen by Navy without clearance and in disregard of advice of this office. Their presence on board probably seriously weakened Benninghoff’s position here [and?] Poole’s landing for residence and business. Courier Ball states Russian passport authorities at first appeared to give Poole’s documents favorable consideration but later bracketed him with press correspondents. Benninghoff made repeated efforts to see Russian commandant, calling at his headquarters and home in effort to secure permission for Poole and press representatives to land but failed after being subjected to evasive and discourteous treatment by Soviet authorities. After 48-hour stay in port, 2 hours extension of stay of vessel and unarmed LCI was grudgingly given by a Major on dock who 20 minutes before expiry of extension gave verbal ultimatum that unless vessel sailed in time limit the Soviet authorities would not be responsible for the consequences. Vessel cast off lines few minutes before expiry of time set.
Vessel had sailed from Tsingtao at daylight December 17. On previous day Capt. Persons of Admiral Cooke’s staff telephoned to request me to supply letters of identification to press correspondents and photographer for use in landing at Dairen. I replied this office not in a position to take action without approval of Embassy; that agreement by the Navy to carry press representatives without prior notice to Soviet authorities was surprising; that establishment of courier service had been difficult matter and that attempts land press men might be expected imperil such arrangement. (At recent press conference in Shanghai Adm. Cooke had agreed take one representative selected by press correspondent Poole [sic] at Shanghai, also one press photographer to Dairen. I observed that such arrangement obviously should be cleared by Embassy [and] would probably have to await approval from Moscow. At time of this conversation Admiral Cooke was en route by air from Nanking to Tsingtao and it was thought that possibly during visit he had received approval of arrangement through Embassy. [)] Captain Persons suggested that Navy on its own responsibility take correspondents to Dairen on chance that entry might be permitted. I replied this most unlikely and calculated to anger Soviet authorities whose antipathy to foreign press representatives in Soviet controlled areas is well known. I reiterated that Navy transportation of press representatives without prior approval by Soviets would be calculated to disturb existing relations between Consul General Benninghoff and Dairen authorities and to imperil courier service arrangements. Captain Persons stated he would report my view to Admiral upon his return to Tsingtao. Unfortunately Admiral disregarded such advices and above described situation developed.
Newton of Scripps-Howard preparing send telegram to Shanghai press representatives stressing ultimatum to American Naval vessel and refusal Soviet authorities to permit American nationals enter Dairen. Kaufman took photographs from ship without objection [Page 1196] from Soviet on dock. Later they objected and Kaufman took further photos from dock as vessel was leaving. I consider release of subj [such] photos for publication in Life will have further unfortunate effect on Benninghoff’s position and that steps should be taken to prevent this. Despatch follows.50 [Spiker.]
This message transmitted in plain by courier to Shanghai and Nanking, copied by Shanghai to Dept in code. (No. 91 to Embassy, 86 to Dept, 72 to Shanghai.)
Sent Dept as 2538, December 23, noon, repeated Embassy 1467.