893.043/6–1149: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—12:24 a. m.]
2208. Three recent incidents afford some indication line Communists may follow dealing with foreigners accused infringing their regulations.
May 29 American resident Michael Kilian reported to authorities Kmt troops had been hiding his apartment and turned over weapons they had left, but according Communists Kilian attempted conceal three pistols which he only turned over after investigation. Communists [Page 1163] commended Kilian for original report of “Kmt remnants” but reprimanded him for alleged attempt conceal weapons, secured formal apology and gave affair full publicity.
June 7 SS Shengking, Butterfield and Swire, brought 21 foreign passengers to Shanghai without authorization. Communist authorities allowed 14 women and children dependents of Shanghai residents to land but demanded remaining 7 return to original port embarkation by same boat. Communist authorities reprimanded firm for bringing unauthorized passengers, secured formal apology and gave affair publicity which played on theme that sanctity of law had been maintained while magnanimous attitude had been adopted in permitting reunion several foreign families.
June 6 British Consul R. T. Callender was engaged in dispute over wages with 2 Chinese servants whom he had attempted to discharge. In course of dispute Callender was alleged to have struck both servants. Communist authorities, appealed to by servants, took statements from all involved, summoned Callender to police station and finally disposed of case by securing public apology from Callender and payment of 6 months’ severance allowance for servants’ medical expenses and replacement of torn clothing. Communists gave affair much space in Chieh Fang Jih Pao, making points that “oppression and assault of others was not allowed”, that Callender was thus “liable to legal restraint”, but that “in consideration of its being a first offense” he was treated in “magnanimous manner”.
From admittedly scanty evidence these incidents it appears Communists will enforce their regulations firmly against foreigners, will make face for themselves and Chinese generally by securing formal public apologies from offending foreigners, will give offenses involving foreigners full publicity and whatever terms of settlement will take credit for both strict maintenance of regulations and paternalistic magnanimity.
Sent Department; repeated Nanking 1162, OffEmb Canton 685.