740.0011 Pacific War/3352: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:01 p.m.]
1276. A further telegram from Drumright at Sian dated July 20 reports confirmation by a recent Chinese arrival from Sanyuan (north of Sian) of Chungking troop movements northwards in the direction of Lochwan in the Shensi border region. According to a provincial official at Sian, these movements are merely troop replacements. This official stated that no military clashes had occurred, denied that Chungking [planned to] attack the Communists and said that Chiang Kai-shek and Central Government are hoping that the abandonment of the border government at Yenan will be brought about by Chou [Page 293] En-lai’s discussions with Communist leaders there. (These views are similar to those expressed by other Sian officials as reported in Embassy’s 1256, July 22, 5 p.m.) Drumright feels as a result of his talks at Sian that the Central Government is utilizing to fullest the opportunity presented by the dismay which the dissolution of the Comintern has caused among the Communists to effect peacefully this [the] disbandment of Communist government at Yenan.