893.00/11–647: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:14 p.m.]
2208. Meisling,47 Assistant Military Attaché, reports from Shantung as follows:
Government occupation major towns Shantung peninsula remains precarious; garrisons inadequate guarantee prolonged occupation and reinforcements cannot be spared from other areas. For example, Weihaiwei only half occupied with heavy Communist pressure from south. Unconfirmable reports state Communists massacred 3,000 civilians unprotected sections Weihaiwei and that similar reprisals reported from Pingtu and elsewhere. Such reprisals probably indicate new and ruthless Communist policy liquidation civilians for failure to oppose Government occupation, and there is considerable apprehension among populations newly occupied Government areas. Economic [Page 361] situation reoccupied points worsening with widespread panic. Laiyang closest reoccupied point to Tsingtao cut off by intervening Communists. Chefoo reported only stable point under competent Government commander but with growing refugee problem.
- Maj. Vaughn F. Meisling.↩