123 Sturgeon, Leo D.: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23—6:10 a.m.]
545. Reasons given by Sturgeon for unauthorized withdrawal from Dairen (Shanghai’s 468, March 20 to Department repeated Chungking 213) are not considered by Embassy as satisfactory explanation for his action. There is nothing in Embassy’s confidential instruction mentioned by Sturgeon (namely, Embassy’s 141, February 27, to Shanghai repeated Department 3789) which would in any way [have] authorized him voluntarily to withdraw without specific orders. Embassy is at a loss to understand his hasty departure from Dairen and withdrawal of all personnel with him after considerable effort expended in establishing him there.
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