123 Olive, William M.: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 8—12:35 p. m.]
1460. [To Shanghai:] I attempted to make appointment with Huang Hua this morning to discuss detention Vice Consul Olive (Deptel 793, July 7 to Nanking, repeated Shanghai 1356). Huang asked Philip Fugh to come to see him first in order that he might be prepared for subject of my interview. This seemed reasonable preliminary and I agreed.
After Fugh had recounted briefly predicament Vice Consul Olive and purpose of my anticipated call on Huang, latter replied that CCP would accept no protests from any foreign governments since no diplomatic relations existed between CCP and any foreign nations. He stated that he had no knowledge of circumstances case of Olive but assumed that latter must have violated traffic regulations during military parade July 6 and had thereupon been taken to Public Safety Bureau; that upon arrival there he must have acted “in arrogant manner, insisting on his position”, thus aggravating officials of PSB. Huang added that PSB officers are not allowed to strike anyone except in self-defense.
Fugh, knowing that I had intended to ask Huang in my interview to convey circumstances of complaint to Peiping, suggested such action to Huang, to which latter replied that he could not do so without offending authorities in Shanghai; that Shanghai was out of his jurisdiction. When Fugh pointed out that Consulate General Shanghai had been unable to reach Director Aliens Affairs Bureau5 because Shanghai director was on honeymoon, Huang agreed this was “very unfortunate”. He told Fugh that best way to solve Olive case would be (1) to investigate facts of case and determine what actually happened; (2) to take no action based on “one-sided story which might have been sheer fabrication”, and (3) case should be left in hands of PSB to settle.
Result of Fugh’s conversation is that Huang has in effect refused to do anything in this case and I shall not make further attempts to see him thereon. I likewise consider it useless to send written protest at lower level which would only be rejected without reply on ground that our official status not recognized.
I can only suggest that Cabot continue efforts to see Chang Han-fu personally. Since one of our immediate objectives is to secure medical aid, proper diet and legal counsel for Olive, I suggest initial approach to Chang might better be on humanitarian basis, including request for Consulate General doctor to visit him promptly, suitable food made [Page 1212] regularly available to him, and member of Consulate with legal counsel be permitted to interview him promptly. Protest re flagrant violation established international law and general discussion assurances re future treatment American officials and private citizens Shanghai might well be taken up later after above minimum essentials secured.
Sent Shanghai 817, repeated Department 1460.
- Chang Han-fu.↩