893.00/13895: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Josselyn) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:10 p.m.]
In a conversation with me this morning a high military officer expressed the greatest pessimism regarding the situation both in Shensi and Kansu; he states there is no chance now of settling the situation except by military means; that Yang Hu Cheng has allied himself with the Communists and both Lin Piao and Peng Teh Huai, prominent leaders, are in or near Sian. He believes that hostilities will commence shortly and that although Sian can be taken within a short time the rebellious troops will scatter over the two provinces and be extremely difficult to suppress. He states that Lanchow, Kansu, is not safe for Americans, that Yu Hsueh Chung21 has raided all Central Government offices in Lanchow and killed about half of the Central Government officers. He states that Pingliang, Kansu, has been occupied by Communists. He advises that Americans should withdraw from Kansu if possible via Tienshui, Kansu; Hanchung, Shensi, and the Han River. My informant is the best informed official in Wuhan22 in military matters. He requested that his name be not divulged.
Sent to Peiping, Nanking, Shanghai.