740.0011 Pacific War/3983
The Consul at Kweilin (Ringwalt) to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)80
Sir: I have the honor to submit an account of interviews of Vice Consul Richard M. Service with General Hsueh Yueh, Commander in Chief of the 9th War Zone, at Leiyang, Hunan, on May 19, 1944, and with General Yu Han-mou, Commander in Chief of the 7th War Zone, at Kukong, on May 22, 1944. General Hsueh, who is concurrently [Page 87] Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Government, divides his time between Leiyang, the provisional capital of the province, and Changsha, the peace-time capital, 9th War Zone headquarters, and the target of three historic abortive Japanese campaigns, the last of which was concluded in January, 1942. General Yu is responsible for the defense of the unoccupied portions of Kwangtung province.
Summary: General Hsueh Yueh, Commander in Chief of the 9th War Zone, who enjoys a reputation among Chinese as an implacable and successful anti-Japanese warrior, has informed an American Consular officer that his troops are prepared to repel any Japanese thrust against the War Zone, that their physical condition and morale are excellent, and that there is no possibility of Japanese penetration through his defenses. He said that the characteristics of the terrain in Hunan preclude the possible use of tanks and armored equipment by the enemy. General Hsueh spoke enthusiastically of the activities of the 14th U. S. Air Force over south China, particularly in cooperation with his troops in the 9th War Zone during the Changteh fighting in November, 1943, stating that the presence of American planes greatly stimulated the morale of Chinese troops. Allied observers in south China, while appreciative of the determination expressed by the war zone commander, and earnestly hoping that he and his troops will demonstrate the unqualified resistance with which they proclaim they will meet the foe, take a less sanguine view of the ability of the 9th War Zone to stop a large-scale Japanese drive against south China. General Yu stated that enemy dispositions in the Canton area give no cause for alarm, and that no Japanese campaign was expected before the autumn. Morale in Kukong appeared to be low, with ample evidence of popular cynicism in regard to General Yu’s ability or determination to defend his war zone.
General Hsueh Yueh
General Hsueh Yueh appeared to be in excellent health and spirits. He received Vice Consul Service on short notice at his residence, was cordial and direct in his manner, and discussed fully most of the questions put to him. There was no indication to support the conviction held by British officials in south China that he is violently anti-foreign, and it may be presumed that the presence of the 14th USAAF and the efficiency of its operations in his war zone has done much to strengthen the General’s relations with Americans.
In discussing the present Japanese campaign in Honan, General Hsueh stated that in his opinion this campaign has three objectives: control of the Peiping–Hankow Railway line (one of General Hsueh’s staff officers at Changsha estimated that the Japanese could place this line in operation in a three-months period); exploitation of manpower in Honan to accomplish Japanese communications objectives; and utilization of Honan’s food production to bolster shortages in occupied areas. When asked concerning a possible Japanese drive to the west, towards Chungking, General Hsueh stated that, while the intentions [Page 88] of the enemy were not yet clear, a thrust towards Chungking might develop. He added that the Japanese would meet strong resistance should such a campaign be attempted.
[Here follows detailed report.]
Respectfully yours,
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Consul at Kweilin; received July 5.↩