Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East: China, Volume VIII

893.00/2–1548: Telegram

The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, February 15, 1948.
[Received February 15—10:49 p.m.]

76. Chinese Communist Chinese language radio news broadcast 750 kcs February 14, 1730 to 1930 hours, included following item (in translation):

“North Shensi News spokesman, General Affairs Section of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, has made statement re case of participation on December 25 last year of 5 American marines in Chinese civil war at Wanglintao area north of Chimo stating: Effort of American Navy Department to explain that activities these 5 American soldiers was not participation in China’s civil war is futile (? Tu jan—abrupt). These 5 marines were at point more than 100 Chinese li away from Tsingtao fighting with People’s Liberation Army, and moreover that place at that time was exactly on firing line. At that time 8 brigades of bandit Chiang’s⁴ troops under encouragement and urgent hopes American reactionary group, were just in midst advance against and surrounding of People’s Liberation Army of Laiyang area. Spokesman noted that stationing American armed strength and military men on Chinese soil was insult to and infringement of China’s independence. That excepting for bandit band of Chiang Kai-shek, which is perfectly willing act as running dog for American imperialism, there were no Chinese who did not strongly oppose this type of insult, and aggression, that American armed strength and military men act outrageously and shamelessly everywhere in China and moreover assist Chiang Kai-shek carry on civil war, is fact known by everybody. This is completely aggressive activity of imperialism. Great Chinese race definitely cannot suffer this sort of aggression. Spokesman noted that since 1945 to present, American armed strength and military men have uninterruptedly aggressed against Liberation Army and observed military affairs. He moreover noted unreasonable demands including among important ones, as when on October 4, 1945, one American destroyer suddenly arrived Yentai (Chefoo) in liberated area and there was an American Army colonel who went ashore and demanded that People’s Liberation Army should at once withdraw from Yentai and hand over Yentai municipal government to American Army to handle. This was naturally refused by our side in stern words. From October 11 to 12, 1945, American Army occupied Chinwangtao and moreover used that place as bridgehead for Chiang’s armies attack Shanhaikuan and liberated area of northeast. American Army acted as vanguard for attack of Chiang bandits on Shanhaikuan. In 2 months, June and July 1946, American Army protected Peining⁵ (rail) line on behalf Chiang Kai-shek, moreover uninterruptedly aggressed against our East Hopei liberated area. On July 29 same year there exploded the well-known Anping affair⁶ when American Army military police (Hsun Lo Tui—scouting party?) joined up with Chiang bandits in aggression against Anping liberated area in Hsiang Hopei province. On March 1, 1947 American Army officers Rigg and Collins were joined with Chiang army in aggression against our northeastern liberated area in vicinity Changchun and were captured by our troops.⁷ (They) naturally deposed that they were carrying on military observation. On April 24, moreover, our army released (them). On August 27, 1947, two American fighter planes infringed upon Langnankou and Hsiaolitao of Mouping-hsien in Chiaotung (Shantung peninsula). One of them was forced to land. Its pilot Lieut. Winters (transliteration) was saved from danger by our troops and people. Next day 7 American planes and 7 American warships proceeded that place and American soldiers from ships arbitrarily landed. Wounded 3 villagers and broke doors, windows and materials. After negotiation Admiral Cooke⁸ and Commander of 71st Naval Squadron expressed regrets in writing and made compensation for losses and our army released Winters.⁹ Various past facts all prove that American armed strength and military men stationed in China are not otherwise than enemies of People’s Liberation Army everywhere, and how can People’s Liberation Army again deal with them liberally. People’s Liberation Army in respect to this case of Wanglintao, Chimo, Shantung, has adopted completely appropriate procedure. American Army should accept all responsibility.

In order avoid recurrence of this type of case American military strength and military men should cease aiding Chiang Kai-shek’s civil war of carrying on counterattack against Chinese people and should moreover at once withdraw from China.”

News item later same program was as follows:

“North Shensi news. What happened in Wanglintao affair of December 25 last year is like this: In December last year, just at time when bandit Chiang was moving heavy troops for attack on Laiyang of liberated areas, one Corporal Bollard (transliteration), in charge of four soldiers, infringed against liberated area. Troops of Liberation Army on firing line at once reacted in self defense. One first class private was severely wounded and died before medical treatment could be given. Corporal Bollard et al. were captured.”

Sent Department as 76, repeated Nanking as 125, Tsingtao and Shanghai as 83.

Clubb

4. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, President of the National Government of the Republic of China.
5. Peiping–Liaoning (Mukden).
6. For correspondence on this subject, see Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. ix, pp. 1388 ff.
7. For correspondence on this subject, see Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. vii, pp. 1439 ff.
8. Adm. Charles M. Cooke, Jr., Commander, U. S. Naval Forces, Western Pacific.
9. See telegram No. 70, August 31, 1947, 5 p.m., from the Consul General at Tsingtao and subsequent correspondence, Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. vii, pp. 973 ff.