893.00/12–1548: Telegram
The Consul General at Peipmg (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:07 p. m.]
549. American informants state Communists after visiting Tsinghua and Yenching Universities departed without making trouble or entering upon occupation. Informant met and talked with Communist troops near Summer Palace. Indications only small groups Communists immediate vicinity Peiping.
“Maintenance groups” of 1937 type were sometime ago already in process establishment by local groups for preservation peace and order during interim period of change-over from Nationalists to Communist control. Believe moreover that there are many Communist agents in town and probably effective take-over arrangements have already Ibeen made with many officials remaining at post. Expect little or no disorder or threat to American lives at time change. Some chance looting but probably even that chance small because turn-over promises [Page 649] to be effected suddenly and by means more political than military. In circumstances strongly advise against any move send American troops (if any contemplation that measure) with aim extending protection American citizens (reference today’s broadcast from Australia reporting such action planned for Tientsin). This office, of course, taking such precautionary steps as are feasible regarding protection. Intermediary for message indicated (Contel 543) stated Nieh Jung-chen was expected command Communist Armed Forces Peiping and Yeh Chien-ying (former Communist representative Executive Headquarters) would be Peiping Mayor. Message contained reminder that Communist[s] had upon occasions in past, as when they rescued Doolittle flyers,23 shown themselves friendly disposed towards Americans and stated they desired maintain good relations with America. Middleman long known to me believes message genuine.
Sent Department 549; repeated Nanking 805.
- Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle led a force of united States planes in a bombing attack upon Japan in April 1942; a number of aviators landed in China.↩