893.00/1–649: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping ( Clubb ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 7—1:19 a. m.]
11.
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Communist North Shensi Chinese language broadcast January 5 contained following message addressed generals and officers Kuomintang forces defending North China by commanding officer of Northeastern field army of People’s Liberation Army Lin Piao and Political Commissioner Lo Jung-huan.
“With Peiping, Tientsin and Tangku encircled, retreat your route overland has been cut. Although a few of you succeed in escaping by air or sea, absolute majority of you will be unable to escape fate of destruction. Chiang Kai-shek is too much occupied with saving himself while USA is also unable help you. Are you expecting receive [Page 14] further assistance? Well, there is no more such assistance to be expected. Do you wish break encirclement? There are lessons Kalgan and Hsuchow still fresh before you. At present there is only one way leading to life remaining you, that is to follow example General Cheng Tung-kuo, Changchun, and immediately order complete surrender your forces. So long as you will guarantee not kill war captives and common people and transfer intact all arms assets and warehouses and industrial and communication facilities where you are stationed to Liberation Army, we will accord you all lenient treatment similar to that given General Cheng Tung-kuo and protect lives and properties all your officers and men and their dependents.
“As far [for] Fu Tso-yi36 himself, although he has been listed as major war criminal, this army will still provide opportunity for him to atone for past crimes through striving to perform meritorious services and will protect his life and property provided he surrenders with whole of his forces. If you should agree to this proposal, we hope you would immediately send your representatives to headquarters this army to make arrangements accordingly. Representatives of your generals and officers of any rank will be equally welcome. As this army is about to start general offensive against you, it is earnestly hoped that you will make decision immediately. Do not say you have not been forewarned. Lin Piao, commanding officer of Northeastern field army of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, and Lo Jung-huan, political commissioner.”
Sent Department, Nanking 10, Shanghai 13, Tientsin 6, January 6.
- Commander in Chief of Rebellion Suppression Forces in North China.↩