893.00/4–2549: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 25—1:07 p. m.]
861. Yi Shih Pao, April 25, reports following proclamation issued April 24 by China PLA East China Area HQ, Political Section:
“This army is ordered to eradicate Chiang bandits in the East China area and to liberate East China, and makes the following bindings with the newly liberated cities and peoples in the East China area:
- (1)
- This army protects freedom and democracy, life and property of all classes of people in the cities. It is hoped that entire body of city populace will strictly observe good order and not to believe in rumors so as to frighten themselves.
- (2)
- This army protects civilian industries and private capital. All private factories, enterprises, companies, banks, shops, go-downs and storages will be protected. It is hoped that business will be carried on as usual.
- (3)
- All Chiang bandit-operated factories, enterprises, banks, corporations, godowns and storages must await investigation and disposal. If found to be actually bureaucratic capital, concerns shall be taken over by democratic government. If it is found that such concerns actually contain a portion of civilian capital, ownership will be recognized, and the owners will enjoy right to run these concerns jointly with democratic government. It is hoped that employees serving in bureaucratic capital enterprises shall all keep on working in their posts and assume responsibility of safeguarding assets, documents, charts and drawings, accounts and files to await take-over. Those who render meritorious service in safeguarding things will be rewarded and those who stage sabotage and inflict damages shall be punished. The democratic government will employ and give salary and wages to law-abiding employees.
- (4)
- This army will protect directors, general managers, factory directors, staff members, technicians, workers, school masters, professors, faculty members, students, hospital and museum directors, archbishops and priests, [employees?] of water works, power company, telephone, postal and telecommunication, highway, shipping, harbor, universities, middle schools, primary schools, people’s educational institutions, libraries, custodian offices of cultural and ancient relics, hospitals, churches, charity organizations, amusement centers and gymnasiums. They shall not be infringed upon, and it is hoped that they shall carry on their functions and classes as usual.
- (5)
- With exception of principal war criminals, all civilian administrators, police and chu, shan, cheng and pao chiefs of Kuomintang, provincial, municipal, hsien and other governments will not be arrested and treated as captives if they do not give armed resistance to this army. They should be law abiding and obey the orders of this army and the democratic government and assume responsibility of safeguarding assets and files of their respective organizations. They shall not destroy or hide (such assets and files) but await take-over and disposal. If they are not reactionary in their ways and are not guilty of serious malpractices, they shall be graded and re-employed.
- (6)
- All Embassies, legations and consulates and the life and property of all foreign residents shall be protected if they will observe the orders of the democratic government, will not act as spies of the enemy, keep war criminals in hiding nor inflict any sort of damage.
- (7)
- Whether before or after this army enters the city, all citizens and people of all circles are responsible for maintaining order in the entire city so as to avoid damages. Those who render meritorious service in safeguarding things shall be awarded, and those who inflict or plan damage shall be punished.
This army is strictly disciplined and will buy and sell legitimately. Not a needle nor a thread will be taken from the people. It is hoped [Page 272] that the entire populace will carry on with their business in peace and not frighten themselves. The above is notified for public observance.
Signed: Commanding Officer Chen Yi, Deputy Commanding Officer Chang Yun-yi, Political Commissar Yao Shu-shih, director Shu Tung.”
Sent Department 861, repeated Embassy Canton 304, Shanghai 443, Peiping 135.