Office of the Historian

893.00B/7–749: Telegram

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

Peiping, July 7, 1949—7 p. m.
[Received July 9—4:32 p. m.]

1138. Noting from Embtel (reEmbtel 242, June 2978) 239, June 24,79 refusal Alien Affairs Office Nanking concern itself with Colling case, reContel 869, May 21 to Department,80 take occasion note that representations Alien Affairs Office Peiping re Consulate matters have in practice generally proved fruitless. Barrenness comes naturally from Communist attitude that they “lack diplomatic relations”. As suggested Conreftel, Alien Affairs Office appears to be throw back to time when Chinese normally acted in way to humiliate and obstruct foreigners desiring deal with them. Note Barrett81 report Contel 802, July 7.82 See also Contel 641, June 9.83 Note further Mao remark July 1 for need “raising our own (Communist) morale and [Page 1093] taking down arrogance of enemy”. In short, there exists good reason consider office in same category as Manchu Li-fan Yuan.84

In meeting yesterday Peiping Consuls generally agreed Alien Affairs Office Peiping largely useless for their purposes. In practice, this office by-passes it insofar as possible in favor direct approach concerned Communist organ such as Bureau Public Safety. Letters addressed municipal government or local military authority may on occasion be returned and none sent by this office has to date been answered but in any event one feels some assurance they are read by competent persons and treatment accorded letters in no respect worse than that received at hands Alien Affairs Office. Note that Tientsin [and] Shanghai Consulates apparently have greater success dealing with Alien Affairs Office; this presumably because their more important relationship commercial matters. Communist practice notably ununiform. Peiping experience reported for possible value as reference.

ReContel 802, July 7, note that offensive anti-foreign posters were generally removed from streets shortly before convocation preparatory committee PCC,85 one report being this due intervention [Tan] Kah-kee86 pointed fact poster that type still displayed in government office dealing specifically with alien affairs by arrogant flaunting of anti-foreignism is clear indication non-co-operative spirit that office respecting American officials particularly. Believe it might be helpful in any discussion general matter relations with Communists indicate to Communists Nanking, Shanghai and/or Peiping, desirability that there be provided channel for more effective handling problems growing importance and concern both sides than offered by Alien Affairs Office. Adduce in this connection point 3 Shanghai’s 2600, July 3 to Department87 at same time express belief Communists if really desirable possessing effective means deal with local problems concerning foreigners they should be prepared as alternative use more direct, authoritative, therefore effective channel than offered by Demo[cratic]-Leaguers.

Sent Nanking 810, repeated Department 1138, Office of the Embassy Canton 205, Shanghai 768.

[
Clubb
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  1. Not found in Department of State files.↩
  2. See telegram No. 1368, June 24, 4 p. m., from the Ambassador in China, p. 1180.↩
  3. Not printed.↩
  4. Col. David D. Barrett, Assistant Military Attaché in China.↩
  5. Sent to the Department as telegram No. 1135, not printed.↩
  6. Same as telegram No. 966 from Peiping, p. 963.↩
  7. The Li-fan Yuan, established in 1638, was a Manchu board in charge of affairs relating to Koreans and Mongols.↩
  8. Political Consultative Conference.↩
  9. Member of Standing Committee of PCC and member of Commission of Overseas Chinese Affairs.↩
  10. Post, p. 1193.↩