803.00/11–2748: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 28—11:50 p.m.]
383. American businessmen here who previously decided not to leave North China are becoming much disturbed over implications to their safety, in event of Communist occupation, of numerous recent press reports of American military aid to National Government, particularly press reports of arrival of such aid in Shanghai in US Naval vessels. There is also talk of military aid arriving North China by US Naval vessels. These Americans feel that if US Government is going to employ US vessels to transport military aid, and perhaps [Page 899] increase military aid, question of their safety under possible Communist occupation should be seriously considered. They believe that, if Communists should take Tientsin and Peiping after possibly sustaining heavy casualties because of Nationalist use of American arms, Communists, angered by this, might well give Americans very rough treatment. Attitude of Communists in regard to American military aid increasingly evident in their broadcasts which have appeared in press. Americans concerned do not take issue with any policy which their Government may adopt, but they feel that if US is going to increase military aid to National Government or employ US Naval vessels to transport such aid, they should be given far stronger warning to evacuate than comparatively mild notices so far issued.
Sent Nanking 630, repeated Department 383, Peiping.