603.4193/10–23151: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State
1982. Embtel 1729, October 9. Tel from Peiping dated Oct 1 contains info obtained by Lamb from Indian Chargé re latter’s interview with Chen Chia-Kang on handing to him list of arrested Amers with regard to whom specific info was requested.1 Chen expressed great surprise at any such specific request for info, having understood Panikkar’s representations had been made on more gen lines. Nevertheless he agreed refer matter to higher authority. When Chargé mentioned [Page 1837] anxiety caused by current reports of harsh treatment it of Amers, including subjection to chains and handcuffs (which known to be true), Chen denied them, insisting all foreigners well treated. Chen had previously made equally “astounding statement there were only few respectable law-abiding foreigners in China and majority had committed crimes for which they deserved punishment.”
Lamb comments this persistently shameless attitude not encouraging and unlikely Chi will supply desired info. However, understood some Catholic priests in custody have recently been less rigorously treated and this partial improvement may be result of representations made by various diplomatic missions.
- Telegram 1319 from New Delhi, October 12, 1951, had reported that the Indian Chargé T. N. Kaul, had called on Ch’en Chia-k’ang to present a list of Americans in prison or under house arrest, but Ch’en ad refused to receive the list until he had had an opportunity to consult with Foreign Minister Chou En-lai (293.1122/10–1251).↩