Office of the Historian

893.00/9–2248: Telegram

The Consul at Peiping (Touchette) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, September 22, 1948.
[Received September 22—8:18 a. m.]

347. Communist Hsin Hua station on September 21 broadcast a statement specially directed to people of Tsinan. Summarizing, statement promised:

1.
The Liberation Army will maintain strict discipline over its troops and undertake to protect the life and property of all classes. All citizens urged to remain at posts and maintain order.
2.
The Liberation Army will undertake to protect all native industry, business and private capital and urges them to continue operating as usual.
3.
All publicly owned commercial, industrial, and financial enterprises will be taken over by the democratic government if found to be of a bureaucratic capitalist nature. Portions belonging to native capitalists will be restored to owners. It is hoped all employees of such [Page 469] enterprises will continue on jobs; all law-abiding elements will be reappointed by the democratic government.
4.
The principal officials and the employees of public utilities and of educational, religious, and cultural institutions shall be protected by the liberation army and will not be molested. It is hoped they will continue at their posts.
5.
Provincial, municipal, and hsien government officials and paochia personnel shall not be arrested unless they offer armed resistance. They should continue at their jobs and be responsible for the safeguarding of official records. They will be employed individually.
6.
The life and property of foreign Consulates and their personnel as well as of other foreign residents will be protected, provided they observe the regulations of democratic government and refrain from serving as enemy spies, sheltering war criminals, or engaging in other subversive action.
7.
All public organizations and people of all classes should take joint responsibility in maintaining peace and order. Re wards and punishments will be made accordingly.

Touchette