893.00/1–1449: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 14—11:22 p. m.]
40. Communist North Shensi Chinese language broadcast approximately 1830 hours stated that subsequent to demand [by] Lin Piao and Political Commissioner Lo Jung-huan [that] Nationalist forces Peiping, Tientsin lay down arms, four delegates People’s Political Council, Tientsin, proceeded 10th [to] Communist area, were received by Commander Li Ya-lou who set forth following propositions.
- 1.
- Communist army desired peaceful settlement Tientsin matter to avoid destruction which would be occasioned by fighting.
- 2.
- Nationalist army should voluntarily lay clown arms whereupon their lives and property would be protected.
- 3.
- Communists would give 24-hour truce for reply.
- 4.
- If Tientsin garrison troops did not voluntarily lay down arms, Communist army would launch attack and commanding officers would bear responsibility for causing Tientsin incur war destructions and would be punished severely. Twenty-four-hour truce was extended after return delegates to Tientsin but to hour of reporting (this presumably prior to hour broadcast), reply unreceived, nor have Nationalist troops laid down arms. Item closed with statement that if no further indication from Nationalist side Communists would launch general attack January 14.
This picked up from regular speed broadcast subject check minor errors essentially correct.
Sent Tientsin direct. Sent Department 40, Nanking 38, Shanghai 37, Tientsin 23.