393.1111 Stam, John C./48: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

65. Department’s 35, February 5, 6 p.m. Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs informed Peck during conversation on December 31st that the murder of the Stams had at the very outset been brought to the attention of General Chiang Kai-shek who had sent large reenforcements of troops to Anhwei to suppress the communists. (See Nanking despatch 703, December 31 to the Department.81)

The Military Attaché of the Legation was informed by the Vice Minister of War during conversation at Nanking on January 21st that the communist forces operating in southern Anhwei which were responsible for the Stam murders are being pursued by two National Government divisions and that the Reds had been split into several small groups and had taken to the mountains where they are now surrounded.

In a despatch dated February 2 Peck forwarded a news report dated January 30 stating that some 3000 Reds who had been operating in southern Anhwei and western Chekiang had recently been captured by Government troops and that Fang Chi Min the leader of one of the two groups considered responsible for the Stam murders had been taken prisoner.

Legation is instructing Peck by telegraph to call upon the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and request information concerning the action taken by the Chinese Government to apprehend and punish the perpetrators of the crime. Peck is being told again to impress upon the Acting Minister that the American Government is seriously concerned over the outrage and to request an early reply to the Legation’s note of January 2nd.

Reference Nanking’s No. 6, January 17, noon, Peck reported by despatch that he had urged the Foreign Office to make available as soon as possible any information concerning the apprehension and punishment of the Stam murderers.

Gauss
  1. Not printed.