893.00/4–648: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 7—7:09 a. m.]
160. Students 5 Peiping universities commenced 3-day strike April 3 in protest against Government ban on North China Student Federation, organization representing student self-government associations of 5 Peiping (Yenching, Tsinghua, Peita, Chungfa, National Normal) and 2 Tientsin universities. Students have presented petition to Peiping President’s headquarters for transmission to Chiang Kai-shek demanding ban be rescinded. Students claim organization is democratically elected in accordance with regulations and therefore [Page 184] ban is unconstitutional. They deny Government claim that federation is Communist-instigated organization, saying it solely engaged in protecting students’ welfare and all activities are carried out openly. Students say they will not disband federation. They also protest in letter to Hu Shih alleged beating of student Lu Yi-peng by secret police and demand increase educational budget and higher salaries for university teachers and employees.
So far no violence reported in connection with strike. Though strike demands do not mention USA, student literature contains references to “American imperialistic aggression”, “sovereignty of Taiwan, Tsingtao, and Ryukyu Islands fallen into U. S. hands”, “American imperialism’s all-out support of anti-people’s war”. Tsinghua and Peking Universities lecturers’ and assistant professors’ associations have called 3-day strike to begin April 6 demanding restoration monthly ration 2 bags flour and increased salaries.
Sent Department as 160, repeated Nanking as 249 and Tientsin.