893.00/2–549: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 6, 1949—12:02 a. m.]
184. Jen Min Jih Pao, February 4, carried official proclamation issued in name of Yeh Chien-ying and Hsu Ping as mayor and deputy mayor announcing that Peiping Municipal Government, established effective January 1 in Peiping suburbs, had taken up duties Peiping itself February 2. Press today reports formal takeover municipal government yesterday. Hsin Min Pao, in report of speech given by Yeh Chien-ying on that occasion, quoted him as stating inter alia as follows:
“In world today socialism is already main current, capitalism surely is going to die. This has already been stated 100 years ago by Marx. Capitalism, however, in the world still can have period of fife. Socialism and capitalism can co-exist in world together. Regarding foreign relations of China, henceforth it is only requisite that there be adherence to principles of equality and mutual benefit and we can have mutual exchange of what we have for what we lack with capitalistic states and enter upon treaties for commercial intercourse and trade.” (Full text of speech by mail.28)
Retel 30, February 4 from Shanghai [to Peiping]29, press today reports resumption regular train service as of February 4 from Peiping station to Tientsin with three trains daily and two trains daily [Page 1059] likewise each to Kalgan and Chohsien. Same item reports direct trains to Shanhaikuan will be resumed today. Peiping Jih Pao reports exchange rate for gold yuan has been fixed by People’s Bank at 1 PB equals 10 gold yuan, that exchange of gold yuan has already been started but that rates for gold and silver still unfixed. Shih Chieh Jih Pao reports peace delegates from Shanghai and Ningsia are scheduled proceed Peiping by plane tomorrow. Same general information carried by other papers but matter unconfirmed. Ordinary mail (including registered and express letters) accepted by post office for Tientsin but telegraph office still does not accept telegrams for same point. Jen Min Jih Pao today carries protest CEC30 Chinese Communist Party release Okamura31 and his return Japan. Sent Department 184, Nanking 154, Shanghai 157.