119.2/12–2248
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Ambassador in China (Stuart)26
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for the information of the Embassy a copy of a communication (in English original only) dispatched jointly under date December 18, 1948 by the several consular representatives presently residing in Peiping to General Fu Tso-yi, in his capacity of Commander-in-Chief in North China, and of his reply (in English translation) of December 20, 1948.27
The dispatch of this joint communication arose out of discussions of the concerned representatives on December 17 and 18 in respect to the situation existing in Peiping, where the presence of large numbers of Nationalist troops has already threatened increasing complications in respect to the present state of peace and order, and where it is likewise threatened that there will be a certain amount of possible looting and disorder in an interim period between the relaxation of Nationalist control and the application of Communist control in case of Communist occupation of this city. It will be observed that the communication takes note of the circumstance that foreign nationals residing in Peiping are entitled in their neutral character by international law and custom to the fullest measure of protection from the local authorities for their lives and property, and requests that General Fu’s Headquarters do everything appropriate and possible to the end that explicit orders should be issued by the responsible military and civil authorities for the indicated purpose.
General Fu’s reply states that his Headquarters has already ordered the Peiping Garrison Headquarters to extend special protection to foreign residents in Peiping, and states that a copy of his communication is being forwarded to that latter Headquarters for strict enforcement.
Respectfully yours,