893.00/2–149: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
161. Additional Communist forces entered city today, particularly from south, bringing total to minimum 25,000. Communist troops today chiefly engaged in relieving 104th Army of garrison duties. Some Communist troops bear arm bands designating them Peiping garrison. Troops well armed, well disciplined. Have been kept [in] quarters except on duty. Some Nationalist forces still in town, some moving out today.
Foreign Office representative states his office bureau and municipal government functioning as usual for time being. He confirmed discipline [and that?] supervisory commission and North China Bandit Suppression Headquarters both terminated effective c.o.b. January 31. Other information indicates Communist functionaries began take over procedure in some administration offices today. Foreign Office source said he believed joint administration office operating today as scheduled but with formal ceremony. Newsmen have been unable find either actual office directory [or?] Yeh Chien-ying.89 Chinese report indicates leading Communists arrived Peiping only today.
Today was featured by some parades students and labor guilds. Some Communists gave pantomime performances (including representative Uncle Sam supporting badly lamed Gimo) and distributed propaganda and sang songs. No evidence noted of violent anti-American propaganda. No Communist posters yet discovered. Yenching and Tsinghua students still absent.
Sent Department 161, Nanking 135, Shanghai 133.