893.00/7–648: Telegram
The Consul at Peiping (Touchette) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 6—10:29 a. m.]
261. Reference made to unnumbered telegram July 5th to Embassy71 re Peiping student demonstration. Attempt made to reach Embassy, Nanking, evening July 5th, a holiday, through AAG facilities, Peiping USIS station not being able to contact Shanghai and Nanking stations.
At about 9 a. m. on July 5 estimated 3,000 Peiping students including middle school boys and girls carrying banners indicating various schools marched in well-organized and orderly manner to demonstrate before Peiping municipal council building against treatment being meted out northeast China students residing in Peiping, particularly a resolution alleged to have been passed by the Council recommending Northeast students recently arrived Peiping be screened with some permitted to enter universities, others to be drafted into army.
In afternoon attempt made by students to enter residence president of Council in Legation quarter. At 4 p. m. police or soldiers fired on students near east gate Legation quarter, 5 students reported wounded.
[Page 339]From 4:30 p. m. to 7, students in two groups about 500 immediately inside Legation quarter east gate and about 300 immediately outside east gate but fairly orderly with police and soldiers guarding east gate Legation quarter and home president of Council at No. 1 Legation Street.
At 7, soldiers opened fire on students outside Legation quarter.; Military Attaché Barrett72 counted 13 wounded and 3 dead. Reports other sources state total for day 5 students dead, 20 wounded. City quiet but tense with strict martial law in effect. Will keep you informed and report changes if any.
Sent Dept 261; repeated Nanking 413, Tientsin, Mukden and Tsingtao.