893.00/10–645: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 6—5:45 a.m.]
1735. There is given below substance of report dated October 2d made by Army G–2 to commanding general here based on information furnished by two Army officers recently returned from Kalgan area (ReEmstel 1690, September 29):
American officers returned from Kalgan state that Chinese Communists now control about three quarters of triangle formed by Kalgan, Peiping and Tatung.
Chinese Communist strength in the Kalgan area is estimated at 5,000 regulars.
The presence in Chinese Communist headquarters [at] Kalgan of Soviet staff officers is reported. These officers are pledged to leave November 15 but are serving at headquarters of Liu Tien-chi in advisory capacity; Liu who is political head of Shansi–Hopeh–Chahar border region seems to be an indecisive person and a Soviet pawn. (Sent to Department, repeated to Moscow.)
There were noted evidences of Chinese Communists moving up to Manchuria from Shansi through Kalgan. As of September 11th Peiping–Suiyuan railroad was said to be under Chinese Communist control for 70 miles southwest of Kalgan toward Tatung and also from Kalgan about 40 miles southeast with intermittent control to Nankou
Equipment of Chinese Communists noted was partly Japanese; Russians used Lend-Lease vehicles and were clad in American fatigues dyed blue.
Displeasure of Chinese inhabitants has been incurred by Chinese Communists because of indiscriminate looting. Soviets manifested an apparent willingness to cooperate with Americans and their attitude was civil. However, Soviets were careful to obtain sanction of Chinese Communists and made it clear that they were under jurisdiction of Chinese Communists.
The Chinese Communists exhibited extreme antipathy towards Americans. This resentment derived from (1) redeployment of Kuomintang forces by Americans; (2) employment by Kuomintang against Chinese Communists of arms furnished by Americans; (3) anticipated presence of U. S. forces in Tientsin, Peiping and along coast.
Chinese Communist leader Mao Tse-tung was toasted by a Soviet officer at party given by Soviets. Neither Chinese Communists nor Soviets mentioned Sino-Soviet treaty.74
[Page 577]Liu Tien-chi refused American officers permission to continue their mission to Peiping. Also Liu dispossessed them of American arms and equipment before they left on September 16. These arms and equipment would be returned only upon formal request from American Government. Although in protective custody of Chinese Communists, the basic wants of the American officers were adequately provided. End of Summary.
Embassy has been informed that a more detailed report is being prepared by the officer concerned and Embassy will transmit any further significant information contained therein.
- Signed at Moscow, August 14, 1945; Department of State, United States Relations With China (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1949), p. 585.↩