102.22/6–1849: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 19, 1949—2:47 a. m.]
2348. ReDeptel 1215, June 16. Am trying to get appointment with Chen Yi.59 However, I feel we should not appear to be unduly eager or insistent about speaking with Communist authorities re this situation despite its dangers. In their present cocky mood a plea for protection [Page 1173] is bound to be taken as another manifestation of weakness on our part and increase their haughtiness in other sectors. For same reason I do not wish to see junior official. There is also some danger in appealing to authorities that they themselves may make embarrassing demands on us on behalf of workmen. My thought is that if Chen Yi does not see me and violence does occur we shall immediately appeal for police protection which we are prepared to do at moment’s notice.
As I see situation, Communists can scarcely afford to permit serious violence against foreign Consulate General in heart of Shanghai and threats against outlying residences are probably bluffs because futile. More probable if less dangerous course is that workmen will stage peaceful demonstration which will be highly embarrassing to us and give Communist propaganda a royal opportunity. We cannot ask authorities to stop such a demonstration. It is on above reasoning that I have had matter discussed with labor leaders in an effort to forestall any demonstration by assuring men we are doing all that we can by acting as intermediaries to transmit their demands. Without wishing to prejudge issue, I am hopeful that if men are promptly offered just settlement on basis their employment agreements we will sufficiently deflate pressures for more extreme demands to make them no longer dangerous. I must point out, however, that present pressures have developed largely as result of time elapsed since question originally raised May 11 by Consulate General memo to Navy liquidation team. Despite our past efforts situation remains full of dangerous possibilities. It is therefore imperative that we strive to clear it up as quickly as possible.
- Communist mayor of Shanghai.↩