893.00/5–2849: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 28—8:19 a. m.]
1883. Shanghai almost normal today with pedestrian and pedicab traffic thick, public transportation running, but private autos still not plentiful. Banks, including Chase and National City, open several hours in morning. Street hawkers not operating. Shops reopening. Money changers out in limited numbers.
According press, big parade planned, so far celebration confined to small-scale demonstrations, trucks filled with singing students, et cetera, perhaps due inclement weather. Number slogans on walls increasing but that mostly general in character and moderate tone posters and other publicity media contain very little mention foreign nations.
[Page 352]Communist soldiers walking around more freely although some still on sentry duty at large banks and downtown street corners. American concerns open for business but as yet no business. No members of staff stopped today, and autos apparently unhindered.
Normal train service between Shanghai and Nanking expected resume shortly as first train from Nanking since liberation has arrived Shanghai. Press announces highway bus service to Soochow and Wusih will soon start. Although no official announcement, curfew apparently lifted. But night life not yet reestablished.
Textile mills resume operations with exception No. 5 cotton mill on Jessfield Road which has not recovered from damage sustained during fighting.
No more artillery or small arms fire. Long lines unarmed Nationalist soldiers marching under guard from Yangtzepoo area towards Shanghai suburbs. PLA still searching for Nationalist soldiers and local press reports uncovering of underground organization of Kmt special service agents.
Press censorship established today but not enforced as no censors yet on duty.
Sent Department 1883, repeated Nanking 1031, Canton.