125.6336/3–849: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 8—9:01 a. m.]
367. ReDeptel 103, March 2. Informed Peiping Foreign Nationals Office March 4 I desired discuss important matter with responsible authorities and requested procedure. They said they unable reply to question without knowing matter to be discussed. I said I would prepare written statement and present it early date. I returned this morning with written statement comprising actually message set forth Depreftel. I then informed petty official who met me I had message to present under instructions American Government. He disappeared without looking at statement, presumably to request instruction, and returned 15 minutes later with request statement be delivered him for inspection. Gave statement in English and Chinese marked “unofficial translation” neither with address or signature. Took statement, returned in 45 minutes with person understood be responsible official that office, one Li Li-hua. Li said sense of statement would be sent Yeh Chien-ying27 but he was not in position say whether action would be taken since authority his office and municipal government limited Peiping. He said sense of message understood and I should take it back with me. Despite circumstance return to me of message I believe Nationals Office checked with higher authority before receiving message purportedly from US Government. Message was in all probability copied during interim at least in Chinese and possibly English. Message will probably reach high authorities in form intended. I stated categorically to Li that message was from US Government and told Li at end of meeting my Government would appreciate early reply. Li indicated he not in position give any assurances this regard.
[Page 945]Seemed me desirable concentrate on matter in point. Did not take up matter Manhard assignment. Told Li had another important matter discuss with authorities on instructions my Government (Deptel 60, February 328) but would await development from present case and prepare written statement as on this occasion and take up that later as it was not urgent. Propose wait few days before taking up Manhard assignment in order let local authorities digest Department’s message.
Believe other approach Peiping regarding Mukden matter in-feasible present but my request see highest authority discuss matter still technically sound and I shall be in position make new approach if opportunity offers. I believe message can be considered effectively delivered.
Sent Department, repeated Hong Kong, Nanking, Canton, Shanghai.
- Communist Mayor of Peiping.↩
- Vol. ix, p. 11.↩