893.50 Recovery/2–749: Telegram

The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State

189. ReContel 167, February 2.32 Application this office to Peiping garrison headquarters [for] permission ECA chartered plane land Peiping with some two tons medical supplies for PUMC33 and airlift out certain ECA personnel brought response, purportedly by authority garrison commander Cheng Tzu-hua, that no plane regardless nationality or mission would be permitted land Peiping except those from other points Communist-controlled territory.

Matter not being dropped and appears this office some possibility still exists arrangements can be made. This probably cannot be achieved within next few days because (1) position taken by garrison commander, (2) evident circumstance Communist control still not well organized locally. Matter complicated by absence to date effective direct contacts authoritative quarters.

Note however “peace delegation” plane able land Peiping yesterday (after being fired on) and recommend publicity re subject be withheld pending more definite crystallization.

ECA Peiping director Davis34 reported separately his Shanghai office re matter February 5.

Sent Department 189, Shanghai 160, Nanking 156.

Clubb
  1. Not printed.
  2. Peking Union Medical College.
  3. Ritchie G. Davis, acting special representative for Chief of ECA Mission (North China).