740.00119 PW/4–246: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China, (Smyth) to the Secretary of State67
[Received 3:58 p.m.]
606. Proceeding rapidly is advance Central Govt. forces Manchuria in wake Russian evacuation. No effective Communist opposition reported.
Deploying from Mukden three Central Govt. armies have occupied Tieh-Ling, Fu-Shun and Liao-Yang. Occupation of Ssu-Ping-Chieh expected shortly. Entry Central Govt. forces Chang-Chun not expected before further 2 weeks. There is strong probability of Communist occupation Chang-Chun and Harbin unless use of railroad for transportation Central Govt. troops consented to by Russians. Effective employment railroads by Central Govt. will depend on return by Russians of rolling stock employed in their own evacuation. (Summary M[ilitary] A[ttaché’s] report for week ending March 29.)
Northern Manchuria appears to be focus of Communist attention. In addition reports continue to be received of Communist preparations move considerable bodies of troops from North China to Manchuria.
Situation North China, with exception of Shansi, remains quiet although progress restoration of communications slow. In Shansi intervention by Taiyuan truce team resulted in lessening threat of serious fighting along Tung-Chin railroad.
Reported complete is evacuation of Japanese from Tsinan. However, Central News Agency report dated 20 March states that 1,400 technicians and families, making 4,000 Japanese, employed by Central Govt. still remain.
- Repeated by the Department as telegram No. 618, April 3, 5 p.m., to the Embassy in the Soviet Union.↩