793.94/14312: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow ( Josselyn ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 7—7 a.m.]
43. An informed Soviet Russian source states that the Chinese have ammunition sufficient for 6 months more of war on the present scale. Other foreign and Chinese estimates are about 8 months. Domestic production of rifle, mortar and machine gun ammunition and grenades will presumably augment the supply but only meagerly.
The same source gave the impression that no decisive assistance is to be expected from the Soviet Union. He anticipates Japanese occupation of Sian but declared with significant emphasis that any attempt to advance to Lanchow would cost the Japanese dearly.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Shanghai.