1948-49 Seizure by Chinese Communists of The U.S. consulate in a Chinese outpost called Mukden - in The Manchurian province when Comm. Chinese forces launched Their final offensive in late 1948 The US had not yet decided to withdraw its consulate in the wake of Chiang Kai-shek's retreat. Continued to operate are in [[?]] [[?]] fell to the communists This the fall of Mukden to the Communists arcuse'd [sic] new no more anxiety in D.C. The [?] cap Peking, Naying, The Nationalist captor Fell [in] between Jan + April of 1949 Shanghai - in May According to the Mayor of Mukden the Communists authorities wanted the US to remain in Manchuria on Nov 14 - letter sent to carsals [sic] demanding a handover of transmitter Angus Ward refused without permission from Washington Nas 20 1948 Soldiers cordoned off the Consulate Gen. office & both residence compounds, blocking all egress. Phones & elec. cut off. disrupting office water supply & all lighting 22 persons limited fr 30 hrs to 1 bucked of water until Dec 4 They were allowed to move between the residences + the office- but no commination with the outside world until June 7, 1949 Elec. restored for Xmas. Page 2 All that was known outside Mukden was That the communication links had been cut. Than group was under house arrest. Mukden did not arouse much attention. Truman tried to limit publicity about Mukden in hope issue would be resolved through private efforts As months went by concern grew. No American at that time was able to make contact with Mao Tse-Tung or Chen-Eu-lai & there was no official govtt to which Washington could appeal. On June 19- big article in Chinese Press reporting that "a big American spy ring had been discovered in Mukden. Ward reported that a few days later, despite espionage accusations he was tree to leave after submitting a packing list of things he wanted to take with him. The Chinese had 2nd thoughts & began stalling Sept. 15. State Dept. broke its silence [[?]] publicly announced that it's Diplomatic personnel were being refused permission to leave Mukden On Oct 10 - sent direct word to Zhou Enlai- Tzleign Minister of newly established Peoples Republic of China. Oct 11- Ward had an argument with a Chinese messenger who refused to leave the premises went to hospital - [[?]] vowed a formal complaint, affected Ward & 4 members of his staff a Oct 24- Page 3 Press accused Ward of directing a mob to beat up workers & causing serious injuries. [[?]] aroused wrath of Amer. Legion which called on USG to issue an ultimatum threatening war if Ward & his staff were not immed. released. Legion also said dep recognition of Communist China would be "an even greater [[?]] + economic blunder" than recog. of Moscow in 1933. lncident forced Pres. Truman to play a direct role in an effort to resolve the crisis. Nov 14- Truman told Webb "we should Thoroughly explore the possibility of blockading the movements of coal down the coast of China to Shanghai Owen Bradley demurred saying such action might well lead to open warfare with Chinese Communist gov't. action might lead to global war because of Soviet strategic interest in Manchuria. Caret achieve war doubtful, too - Doubts Whether any of be hostages could be brought out alive. Acheran pressed ahead with Diplomatic and public relations efforts. Nov 16 - Announced there would be no consideration of diplomatic recognition until Americans in Mukden were released. Page 4 At news conference- Nov 17 - Truman was asked what he thought of Mr. Ward's imprisonment. Answer "I think it's an outrage." Nov 18 - messages to 30 Foreign Gov'ts Asking they express to higher Ch. authorities their feeling on treatment of US consular staff. "who have been arbitrarily deprived of their freedom for 1 year" Nov 24 - Ward & 4 colleagues found guilty & been sentenced to 6 months imprisonment & other to lesser time. But instead of being jailed, they were all ordered deported, the first sign to Washington that the crisis was on its way to resolution. "All kept in solitary confinement from arrest Oct 24 until release Nov 24. Quarters unheated for 2 weeks - thereafter patchily but for the most part unheated until afternoon NOV 17. Prison diet - 6 slices of bread daily + hot drinking water - 3 oz daily Departed China in liner Lakeland Victory on Dec 12. Remains unclear to this day why Chinese Communists acted so aggressively. Actions severely reduced the chances that US would recognize C. Comm gov't Stoken wrote in '68 "a faithful portent of consistent hostility toward the West that was characterized the Mao regime. Anti-western [[?]] was in debate over Page 5 Whether Comer. China could sit on a fence in international affairs Mr. Clubb said on sub. of Iran. Carter's policy of patience & quiet diplomacy with Emphasis on quiet. Stokes - Mukden Experience, in retrospect of 30 your praised the wisdom of keeping our activities consistent with the higher interest of US over the long term. In long run we can hope to restore good relation with lran based on a new start with both sides. Imp. to uphold, international law + the Sanctity of nations but by means proportionate to the offense International pressure secured our release after 13 months & this should be given a comparable chance in lran. It was a hard but relatively small price for our group to pay for the greater good. The Foreign Service & the U.S. Marines, too, are after all volunteer services with a principled goal Servicemen our country must be are to call an its enrolled representation for patriotic [[?]] sacrifice.