893.00/6–1247: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 12—7:45 a.m.]
1283. Peiping reports that joint statement issued by 585 professors, instructors and assistants in North China universities on May 28 opposing civil war and appealing for peace was signed by 150 Yenching personnel comprising almost entire teaching staff. Other [information indicates that] greater proportion of faculties of Peita, Tsinghua, and Nankai Universities joined in this appeal.
Statement read in part:
“We are convinced that the current disorders and disturbances have been fundamentally caused by economic chaos which in turn have been brought about by the protracted civil war. All the students’ and [Page 178] workers’ strikes are merely natural products of the current circumstances. Politically or militarily, economically or culturally, China is on the very brink of a total bankruptcy. The catastrophe is quickly approaching. Should the Govt still choose to evade facts rather than take effective and thorough-going measures, the whole nation will soon be heading for destruction”.