893.00/12–2449: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—6:28 a. m.]
5369. Local government making strenuous efforts eliminate “excess population” from Shanghai. Widespread rumor current that recent [Page 646] beggar and refugee roundup (remytel 5296, December 1942) included not only vagrants and the like who were thrust into “labor-production-education centers” but large numbers men around military age, not gainfully employed, who were drafted into PLA. (While there is possible need for recruits to supply manpower for contemplated attacks on Chusan and Taiwan Islands, difficult to see why already huge army of at least 5 million men constantly being augmented with defeated or defected Nationalist troops would not be equal to task if properly equipped.) Consulate General has heard several instances where individuals reportedly given 48 hours to find employment or leave town. Jobless houseboy formerly employed by Consulate General approached Consulate General officer begging for job even without salary as he feared what would happen if authorities discovered him unemployed. Apparently former Kmt officials not yet reemployed are especially concerned, and one source reports many “white collar class” desperate for any job irrespective pay to escape draft.
City census taking inaugurated December 20 (remytel 5319, December 2042) also generally believed aimed mainly at collecting excess and floating population for triple purpose of security control, removal surplus population and army-labor conscription.
That it is logical to expect drastic action by authorities along lines such as above reports suggest also indicated by various other factors. Generally admitted even by official quarters that Government’s repatriation policy announced shortly after take-over has failed miserably. Official sources attribute this to devastation of farm lands by floods and consequent food shortages in countryside which have forced farmers seek refuge in city. However, additional causes may be:
- 1.
- Excesses in countryside by Communist cadre members (said to be of rather low calibre) have stimulated movement from land to city.
- 2.
- Anticipated eventual confiscation measure distribution of land, as well as desire to avoid taxes have led many farmers to abandon land-holdings and head for city.
- 3.
- Many merchants fleeing from Canton to escape levies imposed on them by new authorities are reported to have made their way to Shanghai. Hence, city has greater population now than before activation of repatriation policy, which even at its peak probably failed keep pace with birth rate. Downtown pedestrian and vehicle traffic, automobiles excepted, have noticeably reached pre-takeover proportions, with ever-increasing numbers beggars soliciting alms on streets. With approach of winter, press already carrying reports of dead bodies littering streets in numbers seemingly undiminished from Kmt-rule days. Government’s evident policy (attested to by many sources) of keeping city supplied with food at expense of rural areas in danger of being nullified by increased news of swelling stream refugees flowing into Shanghai. Government policy of buying up and dumping food as balancing [Page 647] factor to prevent extreme price fluctuations also imperiled by impending food shortage. According to Tsao Men-chih, Director Shanghai Civilian Affairs Bureau (remytel 5296, December 19), there has been influx into Shanghai and surrounding areas of 550,000 refugees since September, not to mention large numbers unemployed, destitute normally present in city.
No Chinese daily news [North China Daily News?] item reported same telegram that “winter camps” and other relief centers can handle approximately 40,000. Problem of disposing of the balance remains as major “headache” new regime. (Van Oss43).
Sent Department 5369, repeated Taipei 585, Hong Kong 436.