893.00/8–1544: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15—9 a.m.]
1409. United States Army HQS here informs that General Timberman33 of Stilwell’s staff now in Kweilin (fourth paragraph our 1397, August 12 and 1407, August 16 [15]) has talked with Pai Chung-hsi and reports in substance as follows:
Pai had been in communication with Li Chi-shen and others of coalition group, such as Yu Han-mou, Hsueh Yueh and Chang Fa-kuei, and is of opinion that those military commanders have been used as sounding board by leftists and dissident elements and that they have no real power as a group—no money, dependable backing or troops. Pai states they will be branded by the people as puppets instigated by Japs and will be doomed to failure as the people consider the Central Government as the “great resistance party”. Pai professes to believe the Communists (assumably southeastern) are responsible to large extent for movement. Timberman regards Pai as sincere in professing to believe that “there will be little action but much talking”.
Timberman also reports however that ground is ripe for movement, his group are in control of area, local military state Pai is not giving them support and knows his orders if issued would not be obeyed, preparations [Page 509] for area’s defense have been neglected, general atmosphere is one of dissatisfaction. Timberman considers deciding factor will be military situation.
- Thomas S. Timberman.↩