893.00/12–1548
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)24
Sir: I have the honor to refer to this Consulate General’s despatch No. 112 of December 6, 194825 entitled “Government Evacuation and Communist Occupation of Chinwangtao”, and to enclose a copy of a further report25 from a Chinese employee of the Kailan Mining Administration who left Chinwangtao on December 10 and arrived in Tientsin on December 12.
The informant reports that considerable looting occurred on November 27, following the evacuation of Government forces, but that order was restored on the arrival of Communist troops the next day.
The informant states that on December 2 about seventy motor trucks with Communist troops arrived in Chinwangtao, and with them were “many tens” of Russians wearing a semi-military uniform who examined all technical installations in the city. Informant believes that these Russians were technicians; they departed on the following day. According to the informant, the railway is said to be in working order between Peitaiho and Mukden, but only for military use.
[Page 650]The informant reports that the Communists stated that they would take over all Government or Chinese owned properties and service but would not touch Kailan Mining Administration property as it is foreign owned.
According to the informant, Chinwangtao is short of food and there is anxiety on this score, despite Communist reassurances, as there are no signs that food is coming in. He states that the Communists were “polite and courteous” when they first arrived, but their attitude seems to be stiffening.
Respectfully yours,