893.00/4–2046: Telegram
The Consul General at Mukden (Clubb) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 20—6:25 a.m.]
42. U. S. officer and I were informed by Executive Headquarters’ Communist Delegate General Yao late yesterday that Changchun fell to Communists at 5:30 p.m. on 18th with majority local troops, which included non-regular troops, surrendering and some abandoning arms and fleeing (reConstel April 18, 6 p.m.). Information received shortly before from General Hsiung’s headquarters was that situation at Changchun was “grave” but details were lacking.
There was some emphasis by Yao of circumstance that no Govt. troops were involved, it being stated that they were chiefly former “puppet” troops transported there by Govt., apparent implication being that their presence there was in first instance irregular by reason of former associations. Their number was indicated as 12,000.
Report from Hsiung’s headquarters stated that presence of Russians among prisoners captured has now been “confirmed”. If Govt. [Page 783] forces allegedly making capture have in turn been wiped out or captured, their production of evidence will obviously be blocked.
Information emanating from Communists is to effect that Govt. division reputedly beaten west of Ssupinghai was 87th, now stated annihilated at Pamiencheng on 16th.
Please repeat Chungking, Peiping for Robertson.