893.00/10–3045: Telegram
The Consul at Tientsin (Meyer) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 31—10:05 p.m.]
23. Following is a brief preliminary summary of the political situation in this area.
Formal surrender of Japanese military forces at Tientsin occurred on October 6 and at Peiping on October 10. The Third Amphibious Corps of the Fleet Marine Forces is now established at Tientsin, Peiping, Chinwangtao and Tsingtao.
A skeleton staff of Chinese Government officials is installed at Tientsin and they have shown a generally cooperative spirit but are inadequate in their numbers to cope with the problems presented. Situation is quiescent. Small contingents of Chinese troops [at] Shanhaikwan are cooperating with local police and Marines in maintaining order within the city. Small clashes have occurred between Japanese and Chinese civilians but the situation in this respect is now improved. Several armed clashes have occurred on the outskirts of the city between Chinese police and “bandits” suspected of being Communists who control the countryside. Depredations presumably by Communists along railway and motor road to Peiping are frequent but not serious. The railway to Chinwangtao is under constant attack by Communists. [Depredations] there are greater than ever against the Japanese. Marines depend almost entirely on former puppet and [Japanese troops] for maintenance of order in towns along the line. Situation in that area may become serious unless adequate number of Chungking troops arrive soon.
My comments will follow.