Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Mr. R. W. Herod, Paul Hopkins, and Others

306 LDB DEPARTMENT OF STATE 91 BE Returnt MA Memorandum of Conversation DATE: March 24, 1950. SUBJECT: Situation of American Businessmen in Shanghai who might be Denied Exit Permits by Communist Authorities PARTICIPANTS: The Secretary Mr. W. R. Herod, President, International General conf Electric Co., Inc. Mr. Paul Hopkins, Shanghai Power Company Mr. Robert W. Barnett, CA Mr. Troy Perkins, CA COPIES TO: S/S FE CA 1-1493 Mr. Herod and Mr. Hopkins called on the Secretary today by appointment which was arranged as a result of Mr. Herod' telegram of March 20. Mr. Herod opened by explaining the concern of the American firms at the situation of their representatives in Shanghai, with particular reference to the telegram of March 14 from Mr. Gehrels of the Shanghai Power Company, which message, Mr. Herod believed, probably represented the views of key American businessmen in Shanghai. Mr. Herod stated that particular concern was felt at the proposal in that message that, if exit permits had not been obtained within 30 days following the departure of Ameri- can officials, certain of the businessmen might take the admittedly dangerous step of escape by sea. Mr. Herod was interested in knowing what measures the US Government could take on a level higher than its representation in China. He also asked whether the US Government would recognize the responsibility for the protection of American nationals who might be refused exit permits by the Commu- nist authorities. To this the Secretary replied that the responsi- bility was recognized. Mr. Herod said he was glad to hear this and to know that the business group in Shanghai would not be without hope. DECLASSIFIED ARCHIVES "NATIONAL SERVICE" RECORDS AND Mr. Hopkins E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and a is Dep. of State letter. 7-18-70 PROJECT NLT By NLT-WC .NARS Dated 25-76 SECRET