123 Olive, William M.: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 9—1:15 p. m.]
2678. Five p. m., 8th, plain-clothes officer from Wayside police station called on Mrs. Olive her apartment. Brought letter from Olive wherein he admitted “serious errors”, reported “good treatment” and asked for clothes to be sent him and money readied (about US $50) to pay “damage he had caused”. Officer tried impress Mrs. Olive husband unhurt, well-treated and intimated hope for speedy settlement his case which was not serious except for fact that “he had to be reeducated”. When she asked why neither she nor others had been permitted see him for 2 full days, officer replied Olive had refused give his name so case could not be handled. Said nobody could be present when case came up for decision. However, promised notify Mrs. Olive next day so she could see husband if not already released.
Olive released about noon today, allowed return home accompanied by wife whom police had summoned by phone. Consulate General will shortly submit his detailed story, salient points of which follow:
After leaving Consulate General about 1:30 p. m. of 6th, Olive had crossed Garden Bridge, was proceeding along Broadway, with no parade within sight when police signaled him to turn off small side street. As way blocked by 2 carts he sounded horn, hallway cleared and was about proceed when several heavily armed Communist soldiers apparently infuriated over coolies being forced make way for foreigners came up and compelled him back all way to Broadway. On reaching Broadway he started return to Consulate General and was nearing Garden Bridge when civilian police halted him in rough manner. Same group of soldiers then appeared, harangued him, forced him wait about 2 hours, then took to Wayside police station.
He was held but few minutes at Wayside during which a friendly sergeant (take-over from old regime) warned him he was in for bad time being foreigner and regretted his lack authority permit Olive to phone Consulate General. Then take[n] to Foochow Road central police station Office Alien Affairs where only subordinate in charge (as result parade holiday) characterized matter as “very minor offense” [Page 1221] and issued written instruction for return Olive to Wayside station for quick settlement case.
On return Wayside sergeant started reassure Olive regarding release when noted that central police official’s written order had been amended by Wayside officer to read “is to be detained”. During ensuing talk with sergeant, Olive, while appealing for sergeant’s intercession to prevent detention, was gripping and leaning on intervening table edge. Soldiers reappeared and forcibly jerked him away from table, causing him lose balance, knock ink wells and cup from table and himself fall to floor, one arm inadvertently striking soldier as he fell. Soldiers, tempers inflamed, instantly surrounded him, striking him with gun barrels, etc., and terrifying him to point where he resisted in instinctive self defense.
He was then put in handcuffs (which not removed for almost 24 hours), brutally beaten up about body and legs and then hauled to preliminary detention cell (housing 3 other prisoners including Indian information source previously reported by Consulate General), Later was taken to another cell in which were already crowded 15 poor Chinese who treated him kindly, even offering tea.
Next morning he was compelled (with armed soldiers surrounding) to write “full confession” of guilt for various offenses including assault and original traffic “violation” (driving on a street which it appeared was among those declared reserved for parade in announcement made noon of 6th—quite unknown to him). Drafted 3 statements none of which satisfied police who then made him write 4th statement with virtually every word dictated by them. During this and various other humiliating points of his experience he was repeatedly photographed. In connection with this and other shorter statement which he was later forced to sign (including apologies to prison guards and people municipal government) he was also pressed to include denunciation of American Government—which he managed evade fairly well.
Following preparation of his confession he was given farcical “trial” charged with no less than 8 offenses, lectured lengthily (several times) on American Government’s sins, manner in which foreigners should conduct themselves under people’s regime, etc. Was then compelled write down summary of what had been told him.
Following trial he was taken solitary confinement cell in which, while lying, was not even allowed turn over and while sitting forced maintain painful crouched position for hours—at point of guards’ guns.
Only nourishment he received during entire stay police station was bread and water—not enough water.
His requests for doctor examine his injuries were refused. He was not even permitted wash till shortly before release.
[Page 1222]Such was severity and brutality of his treatment he cannot even recall clearly sequence and character events during latter part his detention—is hazy for example as to number and differentiation of apologies he was forced sign. He clearly recalls however that subsequent to trial he was twice forced make additions to his original confession: First, that he had been well treated and “suffered no injuries while under detention” (phrasing which Olive finally accepted as at least technically correct—injuries being inflicted before detention); and second, that his confession was made voluntarily.
About 3:30 afternoon 8th Olive noted sudden marked change in attitude of his jailors (McConaughy called at Foreign Affairs Bureau at 11 that morning); they became solicitous even to point offering him foreign cigarettes, asking him write wife, etc. Before his release they lad him washed, shaved, barbered.
In connection with his apologies he was forced to make 3 waist-deep bows while photographers took pictures.
Before leaving Olive required pay fine. Actual cash paid over only JMP10 30500. But jailors had apparently deducted other amounts for “expenses” from cash on his person.
Preliminary superficial exam indicates Olive’s bodily injuries probably not serious; but am of course having him thoroughly examined including X-ray—results to be recorded by physician’s certificates supported by photos of injuries. He is naturally in highly exhausted, nerve-shaken state—dreading further arrest and torture; and psychological shock believed probably more serious than bodily wounds.
This grim affair impressively confirms my conviction that no American now safe in China. True that sudden change in police attitude afternoon of 8th probably reflected orders for Olive’s release given by higher Communist authorities as result of Embassy’s and Consulate General’s intensive efforts; but fact that action was finally obtained by such efforts is no grounds of reassurance as to future in face of general dangerous attitude toward foreigners by rank and file Communists’ personnel.
Department will appreciate that release of full story may jeopardize Olive but may feel full release nevertheless necessary. My 2 statements reported separately were designed to explode police story without involving Olive.
I suggest Olive be moved from Shanghai as soon as unobtrusively possible—perhaps in the interim stop at Tientsin to ease exit permit question.
Repeated Nanking 1497.
- Jin min piao (Chinese Communist currency).↩