No Hands

The U.S. has not yet established formal diplomatic relations with China's Communists; last week, the Communists took the initiative, informally.

The U.S. Navy pulled out of Shanghai so hastily last April that it failed to give its 800 Chinese civilian employees proper two weeks' notice. Last week, demanding full pay for the past two months (during which they did not work), workers surrounded the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, refused to let anyone leave.

While shouting masses paraded to celebrate the Communist takeover, U.S. Consul General John M. Cabot decided to run the blockade. Hands in pockets (to avoid any possible charges of having used violence), Cabot advanced to the door; the workers refused to let him pass. "There is nothing we can do," said Mr. Cabot and turned back, hands still in his pockets. His staff broke out K rations.

Before the workers finally withdrew, pending negotiations, a graver incident occurred. Mild, retiring U.S. Vice Consul William M. Olive, who had left the consulate before the siege began, got stuck in his car amid the parading mob; he waited for two hours, then was arrested for traffic violations and obstructing the parade. The Communist cops did not allow U.S. officials to see him in jail. Sixty-six hours later he was released--after, as the Reds put it, "being given sincere and serious education by the police."

While in jail Olive had been brutally beaten. A medical report of two physicians issued by the U.S. Consulate said: ". . . Soreness in all muscles and joints, also bruises, contusions and abrasions, and some evidence of internal injuries." Before he was released, Olive had been forced to sign a statement which the Communist press gleefully displayed: ". . . I already have admitted my mistake [and] have repented and inwardly feel deeply regretful . . . I did not receive any ill treatment . . ."

The Liberation Daily described the Olive incident as a result of "imperialist provocation," and added that Mr. Olive's "education" would serve as an example to all other provocative foreigners. Some American observers, eager not to provoke the Communists any further, looked for the silver lining. One reported that the incident had at least resulted in "some sort of working relationship" with the Communists.

The U.S.-in-China was still keeping its hands in its pockets.

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