124.931/5–2249: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 22—1:43 a. m.]
1083. Interview with military authorities reported being arranged Embtel 1059, May 18, turned out to be for purpose returning to Embassy officer his original written request for interview between AMilAt and Liu Po-cheng with statement matter should be taken up through Aliens Affairs Commission. Accordingly Embassy official called May 19 on Huang Hua to present written protest for forwarding to highest military authority Nanking. Huang unwilling accept document for transmission on ground lack of instructions and instead requested oral account of incident which was given him. He then replied he was authorized to make statement and proceeded by referring to PLA’s excellent discipline and Communist proclamation guaranteeing protect foreigners and asserted when he first heard of incident he was much surprised as Communist soldiers do not act this way. Now he had been formally informed of facts he will investigate. Embassy official pointed out Embassy’s instructions went beyond recital of facts; we had been directed to protest incident to highest military authority in Nanking. Huang replied he could take no action on [Page 749] matter at that time, but would consult with superiors. Huang was requested inform Embassy soonest of results his consultation.
Incident obviously great embarrassment to Communists. They hesitate accept protest as implying recognition Ambassador’s official status, but at same time reluctant reject protest outright and thus laying selves open to charge of denying responsibility for incident for which in eyes of world they assuredly cannot escape.
In compliance Huang’s suggestion, Embassy has subsequently submitted written statement of facts to assist in Communist investigation incident. I feel that we should not push protest further; that we have pressed our advantage to maximum point and that further initiative may well force unfavorable reaction detrimental to our present, future position here. As I reported to Department, incident is known and undoubtedly cause of embarrassment to Communist High Command (see Embtels 994, May 11 and 1021, May 14 to Department and Pei-ping’s 730 to Department April 28). We have been informed on good authority that General Liu Po-cheng was “very angry” when informed of incident.
If Department agrees we will take no further steps at this end to press question of protest, either oral or written. We will not, of course, discourage any initiative which Communists themselves may take in this regard and will cooperate in any investigation which may require our assistance.
Repeated to Peiping.