893.00/1–2249: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—8:46 p. m.]
97. ReContel 93, January 22.40 At press conference there was read in Chinese statement of which following is translation supplied foreign pressmen by NCBSH liaison officer (slightly smoothed and condensed):
For purpose shortening war, realizing public desire for peace, protecting industrial and commercial enterprises, and preserving cultural works, monuments, and antiquities, and lest vitality of country suffer further damage, and to bring forth early realization nationwide through peace, both parties after being consulted, agreed to publication following points (details regarding military problems being partly omitted).
- 1.
- Effective 10 a. m., January 22, both sides shall cease fighting.
- 2.
- During transitional period Joint Administrative Office (this translation checked with original Chinese) shall be established by representatives both sides. This Joint Administrative Office shall be charged with responsibility handling all military and political affairs.
- 3.
- Troops stationed inside city shall be unit—including army groups (translation here believed corrupt) beginning January 22, move out of city with their designation and organization [sic]. Above mentioned troops moving out of city shall be reorganized within about 1 month after arrival at designated location.
- 4.
- Maintenance of order inside city in addition to regular police units and warehouse guards [gendarmerie?], necessary number of troops shall be retained as may be required inside city to assist in maintenance social order.
- 5.
- Political administrations stationed inside Peiping and all central [Government?] and local enterprises whether publicly operated or publicly utilized—banks, warehouses and cultural organizations and schools, etc.—shall maintain status quo. No damage or loss shall be permitted occur such organizations. Above-mentioned organizations, while maintaining status quo, shall await over-all settlement by Joint Administrative Office two parties. All personnel such organizations shall be assured personal safety.
- 6.
- Hopei provincial government and its subordinate organizations shall maintain their status quo, and no damage or loss shall occur such organizations. Those organizations, while maintaining status quo, shall await over-all settlement to be carried out by Joint Administrative Office. All personnel such organizations shall be assured personal safety.
- 7.
- Gold yuan currency shall be allowed circulate as usual pending issuance specific regulations re exchange to be later promulgated.
- 8.
- Construction all military fortifications accordingly be stopped.
- 9.
- Safety lives and property all foreign consulates and their diplomatic officials as well as foreign residents living Peiping shall be assured.
- 10.
- Postal and telegraph services shall maintain their routine connection with outside places.
- 11.
- All local newspapers may carry on publication as usual. These shall be subject to re-registration and examination to be later enforced.
- 12.
- Protection relics and antiquities of civilization as well as freedom of worship of all religions and their safety [safety religious believers?] shall be assured.
- 13.
- People all walks of life are requested carry on their lives as usual and no public panic shall be created.
Additional information indicates Joint Administrative Office is temporary in character and that Nationalist and Communist members will participate in equal number. Fu Tso-yi speech, which by report was delayed until 1600 hours, reputedly made reference Generalisimo’s retirement. Meeting was attended by chief leaders local military and civil organs numbering something over 20 persons. Point covered in speech indicated that “in principle” Communist troops would not enter city (this presumably applying primarily transitional period).
General Yen who read statement in Chinese said Fu Tso-yi is still in Peiping. Asked whether he would remain there, he stated this unknown. Agreement reputedly applicable North China, but General Yen stated inapplicable Chahar and Suiyuan.
Sent Department 97, Nanking 87, Shanghai 86.
- Not printed.↩