Editorial Note

On January 14, the Department of State issued a press release announcing its intention to prepare instructions for the withdrawal of all United States official personnel from Communist China. This action resulted, following the return by Communist authorities of Mr. Clubb’s letter of January 12 addressed to Chou En-lai, from the entry of police and civilian officials of the People’s Republic of China into the premises of the American Consulate General in Peiping at 9:50 a. m. on January 14, local time (8:50 p. m., January 13, Washington time). For the text of the Department’s press release, see Department of State Bulletin, January 23, 1950, page 119.