125.6336/12–1149: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Ward) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—12:55 p. m.]
13. Following factual summary Mukden experiences: November 20 year ago without warning CCP soldiers cordoned ConGen office and both residence compounds, blocking all egress. Telephones and electricity were cut, disrupting office water supply and all lighting. Delegation Military Control Committee Mukden presented letter addressed me without title stating “Your failure surrender radio station constitutes intentional defiance; personnel former American ConGen hereafter forbidden intercourse with outside,” notwithstanding my suspension radio traffic and offer place radio equipment under seal or guard, and that I had insisted only upon communication with United States Government before surrendering Government property, authorities refused permission to reactivate our station to request Department instructions regarding surrender. Delegation’s denial my official status contradicted mayor’s formal call and letters previously addressed me as ConGen by CCP civil and military authorities. Delegation then seized radio transmitters and generators, and also accused me withholding hidden transmitter. After 10 hours continuous bickering, delegation announced ConGen personnel confined residences incommunicado until further notice. I insisted remain with 18 employees in unlighted office, where 22 persons for 30 hours were limited total one bucket water, with warden ignoring appeals for more and guards forbidding even kerosene light. Aged German casual visitor USIS library confined with Americans for more than 1 year without reply his appeals release or access food, clothing and funds his residence. Chinese casuals caught in residences freed only after several months delay.
Military Control Committee orally assured me Nov. 18 it would transmit my official telegrams over Hsin Hua News Agency facilities. November 22 I submitted telegraphic report Department to Military Control Committee for such transmission. This was subsequently returned January 13 with final letter I received from CCP authorities, stating no messages whatever would be transmitted because “United States and Northeast People’s Government not in diplomatic relationship”. Personal messages staff to families United States returned unsent. June 6 no communication of any type with outside world permitted and in more than year no communication whatever with other Mukden residents. Passersby were even arrested for waving greetings.
Not until December 4 year ago were Americans permitted move between residences and office, then only under guard and when warden [Page 1048] chose to approve specific petitions: Such limited movements subsequent year subject exasperating and wasteful delays and frequent failures permit more than single daily round trip to office. My request mayor restore electricity for Christmas was approved, ending 5 weeks’ lack running water in crowded office and relieving eyestrain resulting enforced dependence kerosene lamps. Chinese staff subject repeated badgering interrogations aimed establishing espionage suspicions against ConGen and alleging collaboration with ESD.
Warden took our Chinese consular identity cards promising CCP countersignature but cards never returned. He also wheedled our curfew passes, falsely stating curfew revoked. He threatened seat ConGen safe containing office funds but threat never implemented. Warden imposed regular examination packages carried by American en route office, and mayor ignored our request for permission attend Easter services. Warden failed permit emptying overflowing cesspools in American residences. ConGen given consent dollar rate exchange during 7-month period in which official value silver quadrupled. May 17 Department ordered closure Mukden ConGen in telegram received by mail June 7 as incommunicado phase arrest ended.
June 20 local press published spy charges. Next day mayor’s aide called (first contact in more than 7 months), stating People’s Government approved ConGen request depart Mukden and requiring submittal packing lists goods to be shipped. When he asked I set departure date, I replied lack equipment and packers prevented me from determining departure date until allowed accesss to designated packing firm, and I pointed out lack telephones, recalcitrance of guards and limits on movement ConGen vehicles greatly hampered preparations.
On July 19 I requested facilities departure part staff July 27 and again August 12 but without fruit. Mytel 58 to Nanking September 17, rejected for transmission, reported inter alia.
“Authorities have continued refuse my wife access competent dentist known be present Mukden to treat tooth badly broken early in December. My urgent request April 27 services my physician ignored until June 4 and physician not even allowed complete diagnosis. Same physician later allowed 2 minutes consultation, examination, diagnosis, and treatment my wife suffering mild attack appendicitis. I and every American member my staff threatened at least once with firearms. Electric power needed for adequate water supply denied staff compound. Delay of weeks encountered in purchasing modest quantities packing materials and other supplies readily available in market. Refused permission purchase roof repair materials at times when rain heavy and roof leaking badly. Staff and I obliged wait months for overdue routine innoculations. Have been refused services professional packers and thus prevented from preparing house hold and office property for shipment pursuant Department instructions. [Page 1049] Adequate rail facilities available July 27 and 10 days following but authorities did not permit first group staff members depart from Mukden. We are dependent for fresh foods on merchant appointed by authorities and enjoying monopolistic right who has exploited us through prices over open market levels and through inferior quality and shortweight. Notwithstanding urgent pleas our warden protractedly delayed permission deliver coal in dead of winter to Tatsumi residence where his dependents were suffering from cold. Tatsumi was prevented from rejoining his family for more than fortnight after date our arrest, although I had been informed thereon he would be permitted return home next day. Non-American employees detained in office building repeatedly denied permission obtain urgently needed clothing from their homes. Although mayor informed me on November 5 he would accept uncoded telegrams for transmission and Military Control Committee made similar offer Nov. 18, office not permitted communicate with other Foreign Service establishments until June 6. Delivery telegrams from Nanking during past months delayed average 40 hours after receipt Mukden, and several official communications which I have submitted for transmission have been neither sent nor returned to me. I am still denied permission recover Government and staff property on storage former residences November 20”.
September 27 FSA Chi Yu-heng in refusing perform assigned task threw down tools and left job saying “I quit”. He refused proffered final settlement, whereupon he was instructed leave Government premises permanently inasmuch final payment would be sent his residence upon his request. Chi nevertheless entered ConGen building surreptitiously October 10 without authority. When discovered morning October 11, I took him by hand and pacifically led him to courtyard: When he demanded money I stated he could await opening accounts office but if he refused settlement then he would have to leave building because he was committing trespass. Later same day Chi again refused settlement and when he adamantly refused leave building I took him by hand intending to turn him as trespassor over to armed sentry at street entrance. At no time did I or any member my staff strike, kick or injure Chi in any way. I was victim assault by Chi’s brother already reported Department (telegram reference presently not available) and later Kristan and Cicogna suffered beatings described therein. CCP guard witnessing Chinese staff beating Kristan refused Rehberg’s demand he intervene. Allegations Chi unconscious, suffered concussion and other serious injury totally unfounded: Police officer using office telephone was overheard ordering Chi’s retention hospital over objections doctor. During police physician examination Chi in office none of several Americans present saw any injury other than slight mat burn over right eye (which I and Rehberg saw inflict upon himself), and Chi’s own loud protestations immediately after incident belie his unconsciousness.
[Page 1050]Atrocious conditions our confinement under police arrest after October 24 and perversions of justice during investigation and so-called trial November 21 reported my telegrams just prior departure Mukden.
Staff and I with dependents departed Mukden under heavy guard 0345 hours December 7, and after 40-hour rail journey (normally requiring 15 hours) in third class car with board shelves as beds, notwithstanding my request first class accommodations arrived Tientsin. All subjected severe cold during first hours of journey, and car entirely without water. All passengers confined to car throughout journey and subjected to constant surveillance by guards.
Much of foregoing information today released to correspondents.
Attitude of Tientsin local authorities toward us much less hostile and their treatment much more considerate than Mukden authorities. Radio equipment and one generator seized November 20 year ago returned by [our?] custody. Staff and I embarked at Taku Bar 0800 hours today on steamer Lakeland Victory. Shall disembark Kobe or Yokohama whichever first touched.