125.7146/1–1250: Telegram
The Consul General at Peiping ( Clubb ) to the Secretary of State
90. Eyes alone for Secretary. ReDeptel 22, January 10.1 Note sent Chou En-lai 1815 accompanied by usual Chinese translation (all work: on message by American officers only).
[Page 277]Sent by regular messenger to ensure delivery. Will report re return messenger.2
Prefaced note with following introduction: “Under instructions, I have tried today to obtain an interview with Your Excellency, or with other high ranking official of your Ministry, for the purpose of communicating personally and urgently an important communication from my government. I was referred to the Peking municipal Aliens Affairs Office, but the nature of the matter is such that it does not fall within the presumed jurisdiction of the Aliens Affairs Office. I therefore cannot but use this means of communicating to Your Excellency the message in question, as follows:”
Communist gate control tightening up. Personnel being advised remain in compound tonight.
- Not printed, but see footnote 1 to telegram 25, January 10, to Peiping, p. 275. Telegram 22 forwarded information on coordination of plans with the British: Government in the proposed approach to the Foreign Ministry along the lines of the recommendations contained in the memorandum to President Truman, dated January 10, p. 270. Mr. Clubb was to make available to the British Chargé a copy of his own letter to Chou En-lai, after presentation of which to Chou or the highest available official, the Chargé would make a brief oral statement emphasizing the intention of the United States to withdraw its diplomatic personnel from China if the consular compounds were taken over. (125.7146/1–1050)↩
- In his telegram 91, January 12, 9 p. m., from Peiping, Mr. Clubb reported acceptance of the note by the Foreign Ministry at about 7 p. m. (125.714/1–1250)↩