Office of the Historian

893.00/2–946: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, February 9, 1946—8 a.m.
[Received 11:55 a.m.]

251. Military Attaché’s report dated February 1 summarized below: Reports of clashes between Central Government and Communist troops decreased markedly after January 20 and by January 25 had practically ceased.

Shantung is principal remaining area of conflict where disarmament [Page 398] of Jap garrison troops is chief obstacle. These units stationed along Tsinpu and Chiaochi26 Railroads had been ordered to Tsinan to be disarmed but Communists who have surrounded the units insist that before proceeding to Tsinan they surrender their arms to Communists.

In Suiyuan and northern Shansi, Communists have retaken Chining, Tsoyun and Hunyuan, reported lost by them on January 14.

Central Government forces in Jehol had advanced as far as Ping-chuan in their drive on Chengte before cease fire order. Russian garrison at Chihfeng has withdrawn, leaving city garrisoned by locally organized force of Peace Preservation Corps troops.

Smyth
  1. Tientsin–Pukow and Kiaochow (–Tsingtao)–Tsinan.↩