893.00/5–2549: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 24—11:22 p. m.]
1819. Officer in Hamilton House reports Communist soldiers have just reached municipal building. Report that interim mayor is T. K. [Page 343] Chao and police commander Lo Ta-kung, confirmed by latter personally, but first edition of Sin Wen Pao carrying Hsin Hua (Communist) news indicates Hsu Hsu may take over from him and confirms Communist take-over municipality. Lo stated majority police remaining on job. Main police station evacuated last night.
Police stations, pillboxes and other points this side Soochow Creek reported flying white flags but AMA states troops of 37th Army (not Peace Preservation Corps) still holding positions around Consulate and possibly planning hold Garden Bridge which may mean fighting directly around Consulate. Have therefore instructed staff, except several who have already arrived here, not to come. Numerous eyewitness reports indicate take-over on whole peaceful but there was occasional random tank, machine gun and rifle fire from Communist units which entered city through former French concession between midnight and 3 a. m. Skirmish near former Navy Club in which one Nationalist tank knocked out. Sporadic rifle fire still reported various points; numerous people on streets but few vehicles. No reports looting or injury Americans.
Sent Department 1819; repeated Nanking 993, OffEmb Canton 534.