Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 2

293.1111/2–2351: Telegram

The Consul General at Hong Kong (McConaughy) to the Secretary of State

secret   priority

Hong Kong, February 23, 1951—10 p.m.

2371. Re Deptel 2620, February 21.¹ Southern Baptist mission representatives here confirm death of Dr. Wallace at hands Chinese Communists while held incommunicado in prison February 10. Report comes from three independent Chinese sources one of them quoting Miss Hayes² of Wuchow and another from eyewitness who says he saw Wallace’s body being carried from prison by Chinese Communists soldiers. No information as to cause or circumstances of death. Since he was only 42 years old of strong constitution and in good health at time of his arrest December 19, representatives satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Chinese Communists are responsible for his death. Fact that Chinese Communists have made no announcement of his death strengthens presumption that he did not die from natural causes. Jailers reported to have told Chinese friends of Wallace that he “committed suicide” which no one believes. This allegation lends some color to surmise that he died violently.

This seems to be first authenticated case of martyred American civilian at hands of Chinese Communists since current hate campaign began. Mission representatives here have requested we avoid publicity for present because it might lead to reprisals against Miss Hayes at Wuchow who is not presently under arrest but has been unable to obtain exit permit and against seven American Mary Knoll priests who are reported to be under arrest there. I have promised to report this view to Department. On other hand, it is not easy to take passive view of this crime. It seems probable local authorities are responsible for action and that Peking might be to some extent embarrassed by our official revelation of it. At least we could be serving notice on Communist regime that such outrages by their local officials do not pass unobserved and might deter them from violent action in cases such as those of Bryan³ in Shanghai. We have particular cause for concern because of promulgation yesterday of new regulations calling for capital penalty or life imprisonment for alleged subversive acts.⁴

Believe that this probably deserves priority consideration at highest level of Department. If we are going to employ publicity should be done immediately before Chinese Communists put out fabricated version of Wallace’s death.

McConaughy

1. The reference telegram requested details concerning a report of Dr. Wallace’s death on February 10 (293.1111/1–1751).
2. Everley Hayes, a Southern Baptist missionary, was Superintendent of Nurses at Stout Memorial Hospital in Wuchow.
3. Robert T. Bryan, a lawyer in Shanghai, had been arrested in mid-February.
4. The reference is to an Act of the People’s Republic of China for Punishment of Counterrevolution, approved by the Central People’s Government Council on February 20 and promulgated by Chairman Mao Tse-tung on February 21, 1951; for an English translation of the text, see Jerome Alan Cohen, The Criminal Process in the People’s Republic of China, 1949–1963: An Introduction (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1968).