121.5493/10–1149: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Embassy in China (Bacon) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11—7:07 a. m.]
2247. Service Attachés have offered equivalent two and three-quarters to three and three-quarters months’ pay as separation allowances [garbled group] 50 alien employees terminated as of October 31. Employees’ Committee agreed October 7 and 12 employees standing by agreement. Majority remainder dissatisfied insisting on US $200 minimum as in case Chancery employees.
While negotiating a. m. October 8 Major Moyer92 prevented by group 30 employees from leaving Attaché compound for Chancery and told could not go until after arrival Union official. Moyer called Public Safety Bureau, representative of which arrived within hour, talked to employees and obtained Moyer’s release.
Meanwhile, Frankel,93 Clough and myself went to AAO to report and protest detention. AAO representative Tsui allowed us wait 30 minutes, and after being told facts stated: (1) if there was complaint to make Moyer must make it in person. On our objection this an impossibility he left room and returned in 15 minutes to state this police matter in which AAO had no interest. Interview then ended.
Same afternoon Sgt. Abramson detained at home by domestic servants in similar dispute. PSB representative accompanied by Union representative promptly responded and released him.
[Page 837]Moyer’s subsequent interview Miss Chiang at PSB leads him believe police disturbed unauthorized action employees and now anxious step in before situation out of hand. Also noteworthy is current report Peiping has indicated dissatisfaction treatment given foreigners by police and local governments. CCP publicity on repatriation ship Gordon and others libels [labels?] passengers as parasites and adventurers from which possible infer Communists surprised if not dismayed numbers departing. On other hand attitude local AAO grows steadily worse. Its uncooperativeness likely due in part anxiety avoid responsibility for any positive action; but when it does act immediate result many cases to turn foreigner’s minor difficulties into major ones. Net effect current seemingly contradictory policies PSB and AAO to emphasize [garbled group] capabilities CCP on one hand and disadvantages absence formal diplomatic relations on other.