893.00/11–2845: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:54 p.m.]
2056. Below is given summary of Military Attaché’s report for week ending November 24:
Perhaps darkest aspect of a gloomy week was failure of Political Consultative Council to meet November 20 and doubt expressed in some quarter whether it would be convened in near future. Chou Enlai is about to proceed to Yenan after conversations lasting 2 months [Page 687] with Central Government authorities; conversations largely futile, at least regarding urgent issues between Communists and Central Government. Immediate return of Chou to Chungking from Yenan seems problematical, in spite of Central Government press statements to contrary. It is implied that negotiations are still in progress, but only more sanguine elements have confidence in these negotiations.
On November 22 Chungking announced lifting of siege of Paotou, but there seems little doubt that Communist troops will vigorously continue attacks on both Paotou and Kweisui as well as other strategic place[s] along Peiping–Suiyuan Railway; a long struggle in this region is probable. Place[s likewise?] along 130-mile sector between Yunmeng, Hupeh Province, and Hsiping, Honan Province. The goal of these operations is control of southern portion of Pinghan railway. The Honan–Hupeh region and Suiyuan Province continue to be center of most intense military activities, but evidence increased during week that focus might be shifting to northeast. Communists have been ejected from Shanhaikuan by elements of Central Government 13th and 94th Armies who were reported moving north along Peiping–Mukden railway. Presence of U. S. troops in the region, together with fact that victorious Central Government Forces are American equipped, trained and transported, has caused a new wave of anti-American feeling among Communists. Loss of Shanhaikuan area and arrival of additional crack Central Government Forces in Hopei are additional threats to aspirations of Communists in northeastern provinces. Strict Russian adherence to their pledges of military withdrawal has frustrated effectively hope of Central Government to obtain speedily control of Manchuria. Communists have been moving into vacuum created by evacuation of Russian troops and seem to be well entrenched with estimated strength of 100,000 in many sections of Manchuria. Officials sent by Central Government to Manchuria to set up controls after Japanese surrender have been ordered back.
A number of high Chinese general officers are stated to have expressed opinion recently that no settlement between Central Government and Communists by negotiations can be hoped for and that a continuation of hostilities is inevitable. These officers ventured opinion that strategy of Communists is a piecemeal conquest of North China, with liquidation of Central Government Forces in Shansi and Suiyuan as first major objective and reduction of Tientsin–Peiping region as subsequent task. This view of situation seems to be corroborated by current trend.