893.00/6–447: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 5—5:20 a.m.]
1210. Widespread and comprehensive action by Government was responsible in largely forestalling the projected development of June 2 general student strike. This action took form of numerous arrests, the imposition of martial law in many localities and concentration of force in areas where trouble was expected. Symptomatic of Government intentions was a meeting between Generalissimo and academic members of PPC, in which latter stated that they were doing all they could do to prevent demonstrations but that if they did take place they begged Government to avoid use of violence. Generalissimo replied that he had personally issued orders against demonstrations; that, therefore, there would be none, but that, if there were, any measures necessary would be taken to put them down. Generalissimo further stated that student movement was obviously Communist-led and inspired and, therefore, must be dealt with on those terms. The unfortunate coincidence, from student standpoint, that June 2d was date proclaimed last year by Communists as anti-civil war day was also responsible for causing many students to question advisability of carrying out their original plans on scheduled date. This argument was effectively used, particularly in Nanking, by faculty members in persuading students at least to delay.
Week-end action and developments were in brief as follows: In Shanghai martial law was imposed and student arrests reached the 200 mark. There was a rally on the campus of Chiatotung University but no violence. In Canton there was a fracas between students and unidentified elements resulting in several injuries. Nothing happened June 2. In Nanking there was a large and obvious increase of garrison strength, plans for June 2 were cancelled and a peaceful rally was held at National Central University on June 3. At Hankow, June 1, students clashed with the police, resulting in three deaths and many injuries among students. Following this, Hankow faculties went on strike. In Chungking there were some 1,500 arrests, including [Page 160] approximately 20 reporters from independent papers. Tientsin was quiet. In Peiping communications were cut between city and Yenching and Tsinghua universities. Barbed wire barricades were erected around universities within the city confining students to campuses and, as far as is known, one was killed and several were injured trying to break out.
These somewhat anti-climactic developments and superficial success of Government in preventing widespread disorders should not be taken as indicating that impetus of student discontent has been diffused or destroyed. Evidence indicates that, if anything, students are more determined than ever to make their views known and to ensure that their rights and security shall in long run be secured. Educated opinion in Nanking is that Government will continue its repression, mostly through medium of arresting ringleaders, but that this in the end will prove ineffective because too many students are now aroused and in face of repression are becoming increasingly cohesive in drive for obtaining their objectives. This opinion believes that something has now been started which cannot be destroyed by force, especially as economic and military position of Government deteriorates during summer months. There is also evidence that increasingly faculty members sympathize with student aims.