893.00/1–3048: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 30—4:07 a. m.]
204. Student trouble (reported Contel 152, January 29 to Nanking, repeated to Department as 19911) took place at Tungchi University (not Fuhtan), one of leftist student centers. Mayor was knocked down [Page 65] and beaten by group of five students while attempting persuade student body abandon plans for going en masse to Nanking to protest dismissal number of students involved in violation school regulations. Only mayor’s shouted orders prevented police opening fire on students.
Campus surrounded throughout day by cordon of 1,000 police and garrison troops. Eight police reported injured one seriously when students stoned them. Sin Wen Pao stated up to late last night over 100 students held responsible for instigating disorder had been arrested.
Mayor had ordered end to 14-day-old strike. Vice Minister of Education Han Li-wu arriving Shanghai today to help settle strike. Press reports Ministry will order dissolution of school if students refuse to call off strike. Trouble stems from students’ refusal early in month to reorganize self-governing student association along lines dictated by new regulations issued by Central Government authorities.
Sent Nanking 156, repeated Department 204.
- Not printed.↩