102.22/7–3149: Telegram
The Consul at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 31—7:57 a. m.]
2978. Thomas has now been held by mob in large room 118 Consulate General Building continuously for 24 hours. He was kept awake all night and all morning by teams working in relays which subjected him to continuous barrage senseless questions, prodding him when he was too sleepy to answer.
At 1:15 a. m. workers, after much argument among themselves, allowed him to eat sandwiches we had sent down at 9 p. m.
He was allowed to eat breakfast and lunch sent down by us today. Workers holding unwashed plates as evidence their generosity allowing him to eat. Dr. Schramm persuaded workers to let cot be brought into room for Thomas’ use this morning, convincing them that he has been under treatment for some time and that his health would be gravely endangered by further denial sleep. Thomas allowed to sleep from 12 noon to 12:50 and from 2 p. m. to 3:30 p. m., total of 2 hours 20 minutes. Interminable questioning now resumed. Permitted go to washroom several times under continuous guard. No opportunity shave, bathe or change linen.
Chase and Forman made still another appeal without avail to Foo-chow Road police station this morning. After difficulties and delay they saw an official of medium rank at 10 a. m. who said police could not intervene in labor disputes. When Chase demurred, pointing out serious threat to Thomas’ well-being caused by ordeal, police promised to “send a man to see”. This promise, of course, they never intended to keep and have not kept.
[Page 1257]Lock-in applies only to Thomas, Slayton and myself. All others allowed enter and leave freely.
I have encouraged male staff members and foreign correspondents to come and go freely to room 118 in effort to keep outrage in open far as possible and to give Thomas what moral support we can.
Extremists among demonstrators including some Sikhs arguing they should come to get Slayton and me on barricaded upper floor. So far more cautious elements have restrained them but group is volatile and may suddenly arouse itself to frenzy if stalemate is protracted.
Workers still assert they will extract money from three officers they hold responsible, not specifying extraction method contemplated.
Chase knows that third communication this subject adequately setting forth gravity with which we view calculated dereliction Communist officials this matter now before highest authorities Shanghai. Neither Foreign Affairs Bureau nor any other arm Military Control Commission has to date lifted a finger to break up the siege and occupation.
Am now working with good prospects success on plan to provide full night of uninterrupted sleep in quiet room for Thomas.
Significant that workers closely following VOA and BBC broadcasts this case. Since officials have taken side of mob, there is no reason to restrict publicity, which should be carefully checked for accuracy. Workers assert they are incensed at alleged inaccuracies BBC and VOA broadcasts. I have observed no misstatements of facts in VOA text of July 30.
Fortitude, pertinacity of Thomas beyond praise.