393.11/1115: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 30—1:50 p.m.]
28. The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“April 30, 1 p.m. Chiang Kai-shek, Ho Chien, Lu Ti-ping and Ho Chen-chun, at a conference here during Chiang’s visit, agreed on a general plan to suppress the several roving bands of Communist armies now operating in Kiangsi, Hunan and Hupeh. General Ho Ying-chin who is in charge of Chiang Kai-shek’s headquarters here and concurrently Minister of War confirmed this yesterday in a conversation which I had with him. The plan contemplates the employment of one brigade of soldiers each from Kiangsi, Hunan and Hupeh solely for this work. I do not place much faith in the plan.
In talking with General Ho Ying-chin regarding situation at Kanchow, Kiangsi, he stated that the Communist army that besieged that place early in the month has been driven out into Fukien and that conditions are quiet at present at Kanchow and that he is able [to] communicate by land, wire and wireless apparatus with Kanchow, whereupon I asked him to ascertain information concerning the welfare of Bishop O’Shea. I quite agree with Jenkins that Chinese officials often are not aware of actual conditions and I am reporting Ho Ying-chin’s assurances only for what they may be worth. To my own certain knowledge there are five communist armies operating in this consular district at present.
Repeated to Canton, Nanking and Department.”