893.00/1–1749: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 16—10:38 p. m.]
48. Press today reports North China People’s Peace Promotion Society yesterday dispatched telegrams President Chiang and Mao Tse-tung, requesting both sides cease hostilities and consult re peace early date and that same society proposes dispatch peace delegation persons [to] Hsiangshan (approximately 15 miles west of Peiping) to meet Communist leader Yeh Chien-ying for purpose discussion (per Hsin Sheng Pao): (1) Immediate cessation artillery fire [hostilities?], General Fu Tso-yi having already agreed on behalf Nationalist forces not sortie or attack and (2) exchange commodities, with coal and grain to enter town and tobacco and cloth to go out.
Information lists among delegation ex-Mayor Ho Ssu-yuan, old-time publicist Liang Chiu-shui, Chou Ping-lin (head of college law, Peita University), representatives of Peiping Municipal Women’s Society, Hopeh Chamber of Commerce, Postal Workers Union, general labor union, Peiping Municipal Chamber of Commerce and Pinghan railway labor union. Per schedule indicated, press delegation was to meet at Peiping Municipal Council 9 a. m., next proceed General Fu Tso-yi with request both sides cease fighting and depart from town in afternoon. Shell which struck ex-Mayor Ho’s residence 3 a. m. this morning killed his daughter and injured him and his wife.
Sent Department 48, Nanking 47, Shanghai 44.