893.00/11–2345: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:40 a.m.]
2022. The Generalissimo requests that we convey the following message to President Truman:
“My Dear Mr. President, With considerable reluctance I address to Your Excellency this urgent appeal for further United States assistance which has been so unstintingly and effectively given to China in the past. However, a situation has been created by circumstances over which neither I nor my people can exercise influence or accomplish a solution without your much valued counsel and material aid.
Having just concluded a long conference with my Chief of Staff, General Wedemeyer, it is manifest that his existing instructions and available means prevent him from complying with my urgent request to move additional forces to North China with American resources.
[Page 661]A careful evaluation of the situation created by Soviet Russia’s connivance with Chinese Communists, a breach of good faith which was wholly unexpected by the Chinese and, I am sure, by the United States Government, renders mandatory the immediate deployment of loyal and effective troops to Hopeh, Shantung, Jehol, Chahar, and Suiyuan Provinces in order that China may fulfill her obligation to repatriate the approximate 800,000 Japanese civilians and to accept the surrender of the Japanese Forces in the general area. I respectfully invite your attention, Mr. President, to the fact that appropriate Central Government Forces were moved with United States assistance to North China and the disarming of Japanese forces was promptly initiated. However, unexpected wholesale armed interference on the part of the Chinese Communists, who were in various ways supported and assisted by the Soviet, prevented continuation of this vital task. The implications of permitting thousands of armed Japanese soldiers as well as civilians to remain for an extended period of time are obvious. But with the situation now created by the Chinese Communists, it is now necessary to dispatch increased forces to the area concerned to accomplish the disarming and deportation of the enemy in compliance with General MacArthur’s instructions. A careful survey indicates that five additional armies must be moved to the area embracing the northern provinces above named and I urgently request that the United States provide shipping as early as practicable for this purpose. It is my conviction that the Central Government of China will then be capable of fulfilling its assigned mission of repatriating the Japanese in the area and also of maintaining order. It is my purpose to withdraw immediately Chinese Central Government officials previously sent to Manchuria and also to postpone entrance into that disputed area until law and order have been established and the repatriation of Japanese has been accomplished in North China. Regarding this situation, I shall not elaborate here as the details have been wired to Ambassador Wei Tao-ming for Your Excellency’s information. The concern of your people with the possibility of American Forces becoming involved in fratricidal warfare is fully shared and understood by my countrymen. It is my sincere hope that the fruits of victory for which the Chinese fought and sacrificed the past 8 years could now be enjoyed in a period of reconstruction that visualized new liberties, democratic procedures and prosperous undertakings in an era of peace and tranquility. The Chinese people are deeply grateful for the friendship and generous support which the Americans under the late President Roosevelt bestowed upon them. They are cognizant of your sincere interest and kindred reaffirmation of Mr. Roosevelt’s policies and in the continuation of the historical bonds of friendship existing between our two countries. With deep and sincere appreciation of past considerations, I am, Mr. President, faithfully yours, Chiang Kai-shek.[”]