893.00/6–446: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State93
[Received 2:42 p.m.]
911. Missionaries at Ssupingkai during fighting report action desultory during major part of battle but Communists regularly suffered telling losses from Kmt artillery. Stated further indications were of Central Govt.’s complete preparations for general attack which carried [Page 975] forward into Changchun. Communists lost front line troops at Ssupingkai but main force effected previous withdrawal. Unconfirmed is report of encirclement important Communist force northeast Ssupingkai. Newsmen’s report indicates Changchun withdrawal voluntary. Tenor editorial comment and handbill addressed “Harbin Comrades” shows Kmt hope early reaching Harbin. Mukden’s 57, May 27 to Embassy.
At reception given May 26 by Generalissimo and Madame Chiang for Executive Hqs and consular personnel I received impression (“I emphasize this is in main by inference from drift of conversation”) that (1) Chiang feels present Kmt action Manchuria in line with Jan. 10 agreement and (2) there is no present intention replacing that agreement with new one giving Communists greater benefits or advantage. I would point out that comparatively easy successes Nationalist forces Ssupingkai and Changchun will inevitably have effect convincing Kmt that strategy of force is correct.
Aforementioned missionaries mentioned circumstance low morale on part those Ssupingkai defenders who were recent Manchurian recruits and probable that considerable vacillation and indiscipline will be discovered in ranks recent Communist recruits. Difference opinion among variegated leadership also probable. Withdrawal before Kmt forces advancing north nevertheless hardly means that Kmt victory Manchuria is assured. Communists long have followed strategy of avoiding major battles in favor conservation force with which to attack weaker points in Govt, armor. When kaoliang and other tall crops have reached man’s height this summer, growth of banditry aggravated and facilitated by economic dislocations will constitute important distraction for Govt. It will thus directly as well as indirectly favor progress Communist cause in region where disorder is ancient tradition. A counter balance to Kmt success at Changchun is capture Anshan by Communists 25th.
- Apparently based on telegram No. 57, May 27, from the Consul General at Mukden to the Embassy.↩