893.00/12–2048: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Strong) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—11:12 a. m.]
277 [227]. Mimeographed circulars in Chinese language purportedly issued by Communist chief in Tsingtao December 16 were mailed within Tsingtao to many prominent Chinese here between December 16 and 18.
First circular claims “proclamation by political dept of HQ of East China People’s Military Zone of People’s Liberation Army dated December 2. Rough translation of 7 points follows:
- (1)
- Lib Army to protect lives, property, freedom all people, who should keep order, disregard rumors.
- (2)
- Lib Army will protect people’s industry, trade and private capital. All private enterprises to carry on.
- (3)
- Kmt enterprises to be taken over by Democ Govt but privately held shares such enterprises will be left with owners, employees to continue work, preserve property. Reward or punishment to employees according to conduct.
- (4)
- Lib Army will protect utilities, education institutions, relics, other institutions and personnel who should carry on as usual.
- (5)
- Except for major war criminals, Lib Army will arrest no one who not resist by force. Arms and ammunition to be surrendered, property and archives to be protected until Lib Army takes over. Nonreactionaries and those with good records will be reemployed upon exam.
- (6)
- Foreign consulates and personnel, all foreign nationals, if obey orders of Dem Govt and not spy or conceal war criminals or commit sabotage persons and property, will be protected.
- (7)
- Before and after the entry of Lib Army into a (theory) city all people must keep order avoid damage. Violators will be punished. Lib Army discipline strict, will deal fairly, take nothing.
Second circular was open letter dated December 16 signed “People’s Mobilization HQ, Tsingtao” in summary:
American imperialism, the intervention in civil war, unable drive good Chinese into Kmt Army to die for capitalism. People aware of conspiracy since liberation Tsinan, Hsuchow, Tangshan et cetera. Kmt Army under orders carry out destruction plan and evacuation of all males ages 16 to 36. Recent minor national campaign out of Tsingtao was camouflage. Conspiracy is long standing, was learned from long suppressed people of Chefoo.
Attached was Chu Teh’s (26121795) proclamation November 1 re punishment war criminals.
Mayor51 reportedly received circulars December 17 meeting heads Govt depts, advised officials evacuate families; told them 6 to 10,000 Communists Tsingtao but cannot arrest view absence prison facilities.
Rumor National regular troops to be pulled out in January, leaving defence to PPC52 and local defense units on which much emphasis recently placed.
Coupled with Communist broadcasts, first that they be Tsingtao by December 15, later that they take over after new year, upper class Chinese upset. However, possibly circulars were trick local owners silver coins, price of each now risen well above BM value US dollar 1. People believe Communists allow circulation of such coins only. Circulars had no chop but similar to those understood distributed in other cities previously target of Communists. As reported previously, Communists in Tsingtao believed numerous, well organized. Coup improbable near future.
[Page 669]Airmailing translation and original documents.53
Sent Dept 227, repeated Nanking 388.